NorthEast United FC defeated Shillong Lajong 3-0 in the semi-final of the 133rd Durand Cup at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Monday.
Thoi Singh, Alaaeddine Ajaraie and Parthib Gogoi scored the goals as NEUFC booked their place in the final.
It was Shillong Lajong who had the ascendency in the initial exchanges as Phrangki Buam wreaked havoc down the right flank. Two corners inside the first five minutes did not yield a goal but with the vociferous crowd behind them.
NUEFC’s Jithin MS did have a chance as the visitors threatened to hit with lightning-fast counters.
And the Highlanders did take the lead first in the 13th minute of the match. A throw-in from the left was well controlled by Alaaeddine Ajaraie, who in turn tucked the ball in behind the defence with a neat backheel right into the feet of Jithin. The winger sent in a pacey cross across the goalmouth as Thoi Singh ran in from the other flank to bundle the ball into the net.
The home side was stunned into silence.
Thoi and Jithin combined again just two minutes later but a crucial fumble of the ball meant the Lajong defender thumbed it to safety.
In the 27th minute, Wadajied Kynsia Ryngkhlem’s snapshot from outside the box took a deflection and almost stunned Gurmeet in the NorthEast goal.
It was NorthEast United again who scored to double their lead. Nestor Roger’s brilliant ball over the top saw Ajarie running in behind the defence as his strike hit the post but he reacted quickly to slot it into the back of the net. The linesman though raised his flag to signal off-side to the crowd’s joy and NEUFC players’ utter disbelief. They ran immediately over to argue their case, which the replays confirmed. After a mini-meeting, the goal was allowed as the fans in attendance groaned in unison.
The initial spring in the step of the Lajong boys seemed to have dissipated and the players somehow managed to take the score to the break.
There was a rapturous welcome to the Lajong players but the handful NEUFC supporters looked happier.
Juan Pedro Benali’s men took control of possession as it became evident with every passing minute that Shilling were finding themselves out of their depth.
Hardy Cliff Nongbri tried his luck from distance but it went harmlessly wide in the 65th minute.
The NUEFC boss decided enough was enough and come the 75th minute, decided to opt for a more defensive set-up.
Without much attack from their players, the Lajong fans fell into a lull for a long period, wakeed only by a forward pass which eventually rolled harmlessly out of play.
In the 90th minute, Ronney Wilson Kharbudon was sent off in dramatic fashion. He was cautioned by the referee for protesting against a decision as he proceeded to clap in the face of the referee for which he received his second yellow card and was sent off.
With the game seemingly over, substitute Parthib Gogoi pranced down the left flank and past defenders to calmly roll the ball past the goalkeeper in the third minute of added time after 90.
Some Lajong fans stayed back to applaud the NEUFC players as the ‘away’ fans danced along with the team in the stands.
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