Nongkseh Sport & Cultural Club launched their I-League 3 campaign in emphatic fashion, dismantling Kuppuraj FC 4-1 at the SSA Football Stadium on October 22, with a devastating eight-minute spell in the second half proving the difference between the two sides.
Captain Hardy Cliff Nongbri led the charge, striking twice in quick succession after Owanijuh Pajuh had opened the scoring in the 38th minute. Ieitlang Syiemlieh added the fourth, while Jaymz Bryan Pale grabbed a late consolation for Kuppuraj in the 88th minute.
The match began cautiously, with both teams creating opportunities in the opening stages. Nongkseh, however, gradually asserted control and grew more dangerous in attack as the first half wore on. Their patience paid off shortly before the break when Kynsailang set up Pajuh, who finished coolly from the edge of the penalty area to give Nongkseh a 1-0 lead at half-time. Kuppuraj pushed for an equaliser before the interval but could not find a way through.
Whatever instructions were delivered at the break, they worked. Nongkseh emerged with renewed intensity and blew the game open within minutes of the restart. Nongbri doubled the advantage in the 50th minute, and the captain struck again just five minutes later to make it 3-0. Syiemlieh then extended the lead to four in the 58th minute, capping a ruthless spell in which the hosts scored three goals in eight minutes to take firm command of the contest.
With the result effectively settled, Nongkseh manager made five substitutions to manage his players’ workload ahead of the remaining fixtures. Substitute Shano Tariang tried his luck with several long-range efforts, but the Kuppuraj goalkeeper stood firm to keep the scoreline from deteriorating further.
Kuppuraj did manage to salvage a goal late on, capitalising on a defensive lapse in the 88th minute. A misplaced pass from Kynsailang Khongsit towards goalkeeper Wanteilang Malngiang was intercepted by Pale, who rounded the custodian and slotted the ball into the net. It proved little more than a consolation, however, as Nongkseh held their three-goal cushion until the final whistle.
The victory gives Nongkseh an ideal start to their I-League 3 campaign and momentum heading into a busy stretch of fixtures. The competition resumes on October 24, with Kuppuraj FC looking to bounce back when they face Lakecity FC at 9 am, before Nongkseh return to action against Chhaygaon FC at 5 pm.
For Nongkseh, the challenge now will be maintaining the standards set in that dominant second-half display, while Kuppuraj must regroup quickly if they are to rescue their own campaign after a dispiriting opening defeat.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/meghalaya/story/meghalaya-nongkseh-thrash-kuppuraj-fc-4-1-in-i-league-3-debut-1466360-2026-10-23?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2026-10-23 13:01:00
