Loveday leaves it late to earn Madan Maharaj’s maiden victory

Ryntih SC earned a freekick in a promising position in the inside left area in their attacking third in the 33^rd minute. Sheen Stevenson stood over the dead ball situation and aimed for the far post, but his shot took a deflection off the wall and flashed past the post. Both teams went into the dressing room at halftime on level terms.

After the restart, the best goal-scoring opportunity of the match thus far fell Chesterpoul Lyngdoh’s way. Allen Lyngdoh swung in a peach of a cross with his left foot, and the ball somehow found its way over to the head of the shortest player on the field. Chesterpoul ran on to meet the ball with a perfectly-timed late run, but he took his eye off the ball at the last moment and could not keep his header on target to give his side the lead. Although Chesterpaul Lyngdoh missed some chances in the first hour of the match, the diminutive forward had been a threatening presence in attack for the team from Shillong.

Madan Maharaj FC’s first chance came in the 64^th minute after substitute Jiten Murmu produced a moment of magic to flash past his man down the right flank. He was brought down by Kenstar Kharshong, and the free kick resulted in a good shooting opportunity for Bishnu Bordoloi. Bordoloi produced a lacklustre effort that was blocked by the Ryntih SC defence.

MMFC grew into the game slowly as the contest neared the full-time whistle. Jiten Murmu had an opportunity to score in the 78^th minute when he met a cross that came in from the left-wing, but he could not keep his effort inside the goalposts.

As the game inched towards the final whistle, there was an increasing sense that one goal might be enough to decide this closely fought tie. That proved to be just the case as Madan Maharaj FC’s Nigerian centre back Loveday Okechukwu at the 90th minute rose highest from a set-piece to send a looping header over Ryntih goalkeeper Neithovilie Chalieu.

The goal came at the perfect time for MMFC, who were wary not to let their lead slip away on this occasion as they oversaw the final few minutes without much difficulty to seal a 1-0 victory and join Rajasthan United FC at the top of Group A with four points from two matches. The defeat dashed Ryntih SC’s qualification hopes with one match still left to play.

For Trial related updates: Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football

Also Read: Patient Blue Tigers look to complete ‘job at hand’ after win against Nepal

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football