Redeem Tlang’s long-range goal late in the first half helped defending champion NorthEast United FC get past local challenger Shillong Lajong FC 1-0 in the first semifinal of the 134th Durand Cup tournament at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Tuesday.
Summit clash awaits
NEUFC will now travel to Kolkata to play the winner of the second semifinal between Emami East Bengal and Diamond Harbour FC in the final at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday.
Hardwork
The Highlanders had to really work hard to overcome a resolute Lajong and realise its second successive final entry into Asia’s oldest football tournament.
Egged on by a capacity crowd, Lajong fought well to keep its ISL opponent in check and created some good scoring opportunities as well.
Relying on a totally domestic line-up against an opposition that employed foreign recruits in key positions, Lajong matched NorthEast in the number of opportunities earned in the first quarter of the action before Redeem found the net.
The winger picked up a clearance coming from the Lajong defence in the 36th minute and unleashed a left-footed drive from around 30 yards that wrong-footed the Lajong goalkeeper Siwel Rymbai before going home.
The result (semifinal): NorthEast United FC 1 (Redeem Tlang 36) bt Shillong Lajong FC 0.
