Mawlai SC clinches second consecutive Shillong Women’s League crown

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 29, 2023

Mawlai SC secured a second consecutive title in the Shillong Sports Association’s Women’s League 2023 at the SSA Stadium at First Ground, Polo on Saturday.

In the final Mawlai won 3-1 over Laitkor SC, the same opponent they defeated in last year’s inaugural Women’s League.

Mawlai’s key players, Sunalinda Iawren (15′), Charlinda Nongtdu (40′) and Ideibanri Kharpan (50′), scored the goals. Iawanlang Nongbet (36′) scored the sole goal for Laitkor.

Mawlai’s victory was even more impressive given their earlier challenges, including a tough semifinal against PFR Academy, which they won in a penalty shootout. But in the final, they controlled the game from the beginning.

Marbarin Nongrum played a pivotal role, delivering crosses into the box, one of which led to Iawren’s goal in the 15th minute.

Laitkor fought back in the second half and brought joy to their many fans a minute into the action, with a Majaw cross bouncing around in the box before Nongbet fired it in across the line. 

The equaliser shifted momentum towards Laitkor, with Nisilia Majaw clipping the crossbar only a minute later but Mawlai seized the lead once again in the 40th minute after a hectic spell in the Laitkor box, with both Nongtdu and Kharpan claiming the goal. 

There was no doubt about Mawlai’s third, though, as Nongtdu ran up the pitch solo and then cut the ball sharply back for Kharpan to negotiate a defender before placing the ball into the net in the 50th minute. 

Laitkor looked a little exhausted towards the end of the game but there was one further highlight in a wonderful save made by their goalkeeper Banrisha Wahlang to deny Mawlai a fourth goal. 

The Women’s League 2023 celebrated the advancement of women’s football, which had significantly improved since the previous year.

The SSA also ensured that all the matches were officiated solely by local female referees, providing valuable experience. This prepares them for higher positions in refereeing, following in the footsteps of trailblazer Ri-iohlang Dhar, a female FIFA assistant referee.

The Director of Sports and Youth Affairs, Isawanda Laloo IAS, presented Mawlai SC with the championship trophy and Rs 30,000, while Laitkor SC received Rs 18,000 as runners-up.

Also present on the occasion were senior SSA members, including Karsing Kurbah, Prosper Warjri and Freddy Kharpran, among others, who handed out the individual awards to Lumparing SC’s Priyanka Latam (Best Goalkeeper), Laitkor’s Nisilia Majaw (Player of the Tournament) and Mawlai’s Sunalinda Iawren (Player of the Final).