Local favourites, Shillong Lajong FC reached the semi-finals of the 134th Durand Cup as they edged past Indian Navy Football Team 2-1 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong in Meghalaya on Saturday.
The Red Dragons came from behind to overcome Indian Navy FT with Damaitphang Lyngdoh and Everbrightson Sana Mylliempdah scoring a goal each in the second half after Vijay Marandi gave the Indian Navy an early lead in the 38th minute.
This is the second time Shillong Lajong have reached the semi finals in the Durand Cup history.
Shillong Lajong started in a 4-3-3 formation with Head Coach Birendra Thapa opting for his trusted frontline of Phrangki Buam, Everbrightson Sana and Sheen Stevenson with Damaitphang Lyngdoh, Treimiki Lamurong and Gladdy Kharbuli in midfield.
The defence was handled by Rudra Ved and Kenstar Kharshong in the middle and Kitboklang Khyriemand Saveme Tariang as wing backs with Siwel Rymbai guarding the goal.
Indian Navy Head Coach Raman Rai fielded his team in a traditional 4-4-2 formation with Captain Bhaskar Roy guarding the goal and Sreyas V.G and Vijay Marandi spearheading the attack. Pintu Mahata and Emanuel
Lalchhanchhuaha started in the middle with J. Vijay and Roshan Panna attacking through the wings. The defence was led by the experienced Adersh Mattummal, Brijesh Giri, Novin Gurung and Maibam Deny Singh. The first half of the quarter finals saw very few chances being created until the 35th minute mark when the game came into life and at the end of a chaotic sequence of two minutes, Indian Navy took the lead.
A long goal kick from Bhaskar Roy was brought down by Roshan Panna and squared to Vijay Marandi inside the box.
The forward showed composure to round the goalkeeper and three defenders and his left footed shot deflected off the retrieving goalkeeper and found the net past the two defenders who were on the goal line. The goal came before both goalkeepers made terrific saves and each end, with Siwel Rymbai showing his reflex to palm away a glancing header from Sreyas V.G and at the other end Bhaskar Roy dived full stretch to his right to deny Gladdy Kharbuli.
The second half saw Shillong Lajong forcing attacks to find the equaliser but were thwarted by a disciplined Navy defence and their own decisions in the final third. Sana came the closest to score with his header hitting the crossbar and going out.
Sheen Stevenson also failed to find the target after Rudra Ved found the winger free inside the box but he couldn’t keep his header down. The Navy men were content to play in the counter attack and looked more in control of the game.
Shillong Lajong eventually found the equaliser after constant pressure in the 69th minute with a lucky break. Damaitphang’s intended cross from the left wing curled into the goal after the ball looped into the net after hitting the far post.
The home side took the lead in the 79th minute after the young Sana won and converted a penalty.
The striker received the ball at the edge of the box and with a smart turn foxed Gurung who brought him down inside the box.
The 20-year-old stepped up to convert the penalty calmly past Bhaskar who guessed correctly but was beyond his reach, sending the home crowd into frenzy.
Shillong Lajong absorbed the pressure from Indian Navy and defended resiliently to ensure that they reach their third Durand Cup semi-final appearance.
NE United outclass Bodoland to set up repeat Shillong clash
Kokrajhar, Aug 16 (IANS): Defending champions NorthEast United FC produced a commanding performance to overpower Bodoland FC 4–0 in front of a packed SAI Stadium, marching into the semi-finals of the 134th IndianOil Durand Cup. Moroccan striker Alaaeddine Ajaraie struck a brace, while Spaniard Andy Garcia and substitute Parthib Gogoi added their names to the scoresheet, as the Highlanders set up a mouthwatering last-four clash against Shillong Lajong FC.
Vikash Panthi fielded a settled 4-2-3-1 lineup with Diamary in goal and Robinson leading the line, supported by Pranjal and Gwgwmsar Gayary on the flanks. NEUFC head coach Juan Pedro Benali, reverting to his strong XI after resting players in the group finale, deployed his familiar 4-3-3 with skipper Miguel Zabaco marshalling the backline, Gurmeet Singh in goal, and a potent frontline of Ajaraie, Jithin MS, and Lalrinzuala.
The opening quarter-hour saw both teams exchange blows in a frenetic, end-to-end contest. Robinson, Pranjal, and Urjoy Brahma tested Gurmeet at one end, while Ajaraie, Lalrinzuala, and Andy forced Diamary into sharp saves at the other. In the 17th minute, Andy’s curling free kick from the right nearly crept in, but Diamary parried away at the near post.
The breakthrough arrived in the 29th minute. A defensive lapse from Bodoland allowed Jithin M.S. to burst down the right and square for Ajaraie, who calmly finished past Diamary to silence the home crowd and put the champions ahead. Substitute Arjun Mardi had Bodoland’s best chance to equalise soon after, but he dragged his effort wide, while Junior Onguene was denied by Gurmeet following a clever Robinson pass.
The Highlanders could have doubled their lead on the stroke of halftime when Ajaraie was one-on-one with Diamary, but the Bodoland goalkeeper stood tall and drew a foul to keep the deficit at 1-0 at the end of the first half.
Bodoland came out aggressively after the restart, but their lack of cutting edge in the final third was punished in the 53rd minute. A flowing move started by Zabaco released Buanthanglun Samte on the left, whose cross was met by Andy Gaitan in the middle. The Spaniard’s low strike squeezed past Diamary despite his fingertips, doubling NEUFC’s advantage and making it the first goal for Andy for his new side.
Eight minutes later, Ajaraie struck again. Thoi Singh’s cross from the right found the Moroccan in space, who teased with the goalkeeper and defence before slotting coolly into the net for his second of the evening, effectively sealing the contest at 3-0.
Bodoland, spurred by their vociferous supporters, pushed hard to reduce the margin but were repeatedly thwarted by Zabaco’s disciplined backline and Gurmeet’s safe hands. In the 74th minute, Redeem Tlang forced Diamary into another acrobatic save from distance.
The final word came deep into stoppage time when substitute Jairo threaded a delightful through ball for Parthib Gogoi, who kept his composure to slot into the far corner and complete the 4-0 rout. With the final whistle, Bodoland’s fairytale run in the Durand Cup came to an end in the quarterfinal, while defending champions NorthEast United marched a step closer to their title defence.
The Highlanders will now face Shillong Lajong FC in a repeat of last year’s semi-final at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong, on August 19.