Shillong, Oct 27: Jakrem Sports Club claimed a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Kemp FC in match no. 4 of Group C in the Indian Women’s League 2 at the SSA Stadium, Polo, on Tuesday, with Makrisha Songthiang scoring the decisive goal.
Kemp FC took the lead in the opening minute through Puja Pachi (1′), but Jakrem responded with two goals in six minutes, as Darishisha Kharlyngdoh (19′) equalised with a fantastic free-kick before Marbarin Nongrum (25′) put her side ahead before the break. Kemp restored parity through substitute Aarushi Santosh (63′) in the second half, but Makrisha Songthiang (66′) struck the winner to secure all three points for the Meghalaya side.
Kemp made a dream start when Puja found the net in the first minute and added pressure on the home side from the very start. Soon after, Jakrem goalkeeper Banrisha Wahlang was called into action twice in quick succession in the 10th minute. She first denied Puja Pachi from close range, but the ball rebounded to Puja, who then played an excellent pass across the penalty area to Markkadharshi R (Mark), waiting near the edge of the box. Mark unleashed a powerful strike towards the top corner, only for Banrisha to produce a spectacular full-stretch dive to her left to keep the ball out of the net.
But moments later, in the 14th minute, Jakrem came agonisingly close to an equaliser but were unable to convert the chance. Marbarin delivered a cross from the right flank into the goal area, which Kemp FC goalkeeper Aruni Singh dived to intercept but failed to hold on to. The ball travelled beyond her to Jakrem forwards Makrisha Songthiang and Iaphisha Marbaniang, who were both near the goal line. However, neither forward could make contact with the ball, allowing Kemp’s defenders to clear it away.
The danger was not over, though, as the ball remained inside the penalty area. Jakrem launched further attempts at goal, but Kemp’s defenders stood firm before the ball fell to Rimika Khongkai near the edge of the box. Rimika unleashed a thunderous shot, but Aruni produced another impressive save to keep it out.
Jakrem’s efforts finally bore fruit in the 19th minute when Darishisha Kharlyngdoh scored a superb free-kick from well outside the penalty area to make it 1-1. Six minutes later, Marbarin Nongrum put Jakrem ahead after Makrisha Songthiang’s initial attempt was saved by Aruni, who had rushed off her line to challenge the attacker outside the penalty area, leaving the goal unattended. As the ball rebounded towards Marbarin, she produced a perfectly measured shot from the right flank, and from outside the penalty area, lifting it over two defenders and into the net to give Jakrem a 2-1 lead.
However, Kemp continued to threaten, with Puja and Serbirika Terangpi coming close to scoring before half-time. Jakrem’s defence also had to remain alert, with Rimika Khongkai making a crucial intervention in stoppage time to deny Puja a scoring opportunity.
Kemp came out strongly after the break and equalised through substitute Aarushi Santosh in the 63rd minute, setting up a tense finish at 2-2.
Jakrem pushed forward in search of another goal, and Makrisha Songthiang eventually delivered in the 66th minute to restore her side’s lead. Her strike from near the edge of the penalty area sailed over the Kemp FC goalkeeper and into the top of the net to seal a 3-2 victory for the home side.
Both goalkeepers made important contributions throughout the match as both sides had five shots each on target. Wahlang produced several key saves, including efforts from a corner and a free-kick, while Aruni denied Darishisha from another free-kick in the 75th minute.
Kemp pressed for a late equaliser, but Jakrem’s defence stood firm through eight minutes of added time to see out the 3-2 win.
The victory adds another milestone to Jakrem SC’s debut IWL-2 campaign, as the Meghalaya club continues to make its mark on the national stage.
