Redeem Tlang’s long-range aim late in the first half helped defending champion NorthEast United FC get previous native challenger Shillong Lajong FC 1-0 in the first semifinal of the 134th Durand Cup match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Tuesday.
Summit conflict awaits
NEUFC will now journey to Kolkata to play the winner of the second semifinal between Emami East Bengal and Diamond Harbour FC in the closing at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday.
Hardwork
The Highlanders needed to actually work laborious to beat a resolute Lajong and realise its second successive closing entry into Asia’s oldest soccer match.
Egged on by a capability crowd, Lajong fought nicely to maintain its ISL opponent in examine and created some good scoring alternatives as nicely.
Relying on a completely home line-up in opposition to an opposition that employed overseas recruits in key positions, Lajong matched NorthEast in the variety of alternatives earned in the first quarter of the motion earlier than Redeem discovered the internet.
The winger picked up a clearance coming from the Lajong defence in the thirty sixth minute and unleashed a left-footed drive from round 30 yards that wrong-footed the Lajong goalkeeper Siwel Rymbai earlier than going residence.
The end result (semifinal): NorthEast United FC 1 (Redeem Tlang 36) bt Shillong Lajong FC 0.
