NEUFC beat Shillong Lajong to make second consecutive Durand Cup final

Time of India

15 hours ago

The home boy came to haunt the hosts as Redeem Tlang struck the decider for
NorthEast United FC
in the first semifinal of the 134th Durand Cup in Shillong on Tuesday.
While a youthful Shillong Lajong FC were able to curtail the brutal attacking force of the defending champions for most of the crucial match, former Lajong mainstay Tlang undid their efforts in the 36th minute when his left-footed strike from 30 yards found goalkeeper Siwel Rymbai on the wrong foot to earn NEUFC a consecutive spot in the final.
It was another heartbreak for the Shillong club, who were left with a repeat of their semifinal predicament in the last edition when they had been stopped in their progress by the eventual champions.
On the other hand, Juan Pedro Benali's side reached the final step in their title defence and will await the result of the semifinal between Kolkata clubs — East Bengal FC and newcomers Diamond Harbour FC — to find their rivals in Saturday's final.
However, the first half saw hosts Lajong — egged on by a packed Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium crowd — restrict NEUFC from playing their free flowing attacking game and keep the dangerous Alaaeddine Alaaeddine Ajaraie and Jithin MS at bay.
The only attempts on goal were Chema Nunez's header and Andres Rodriguez's long-range effort straight at the goalkeeper.
Meanwhile, the home side showcased their pace on counter attacks but lacked in the final decision making, even with striker Everbrightson Sana looking lively upfront.
Despite that the Highlanders took the lead in the 36th minute right after a break due to an accidental injury to a match official. At the restart, 30-year-old Tlang found the ball in midfield and his powerful left footer found the back of the net as Rymbai got wrong-footed by the trajectory of the ball.
Even as NEUFC created more chances in the second half, Lajong became more desperate in search of an equaliser but none on the field was able to add to the match scoresheet.
NEUFC's Andy Rodriguez though came close as his shot hit the post after the midfielder found himself free inside the penalty box. Moments later, Ajaraie, who was out of sorts throughout the game, also failed to reach a perfect cross from the Spaniard but scuffed his attempted scoop with only the goalkeeper to beat.
In the end, it was NEUFC who held on and booked a berth in the summit clash.
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