Riyadh: First-time semi-finalists Meghalaya shocked eight-time champions Punjab 2-1 on Wednesday to enter the ultimate of the Santosh Trophy nationwide soccer championship, whose last stage is being performed within the Saudia Arabian capital.
Taken in a foreign country for the primary time, the 68,000-seater King Fahd International Stadium noticed 100-odd spectators flip up whereas Bollywood music blared from the audio system.
Punjab took the lead within the sixteenth minute via Paramjit Singh earlier than Figo Syndai equalised for Meghalaya within the thirty sixth minute. Sheen Stevensen Sohktung clinched it for his enterprising facet by scoring one minute into second half added time, outpacing his markers and capturing from the highest of the field.
Meghalaya will face Karnataka, who upset Services 3-1 within the second semi-final to enter the Santosh Trophy last for the primary time in 47 years. Robin Yadav (43’), Ankith (45+1) and M Sunil Kumar (77’) scored for the winners after Bikash Thapa had put Services forward within the fortieth minute.
Despite lacking some key gamers together with strikers Rohit Sheikh and Deepu Kala, Punjab have been seen holding the upperhand attributable to expertise and bodily superiority. Meghalaya although had promised to “play like tigers” and did simply that, dominating early possession and urgent fearlessly.
In the second minute, Meghalaya sliced via Punjab’s defence down the left and it required a full-stretch dive from Punjab goalkeeper Shamsher Singh to maintain out the try. Donald Diengdoh then dispossessed a defender and let go a 35-yard shot that glanced off the crossbar. Punjab discovered their first probability instantly after, however Deepak Kumar fluffed the header.
Punjab although stored pushing and have been rewarded within the sixteenth minute following a nook. The kick taken by Bhupinder Singh was punched by Meghalaya goalkeeper Rajat Paul just for the ball to land between Punjab midfielders Paramjit Singh and Deepak Kumar. Paramjit powered a clear strike to the keeper’s proper.
Meghalaya have been undaunted. Sheen’s shot from the centre of the penalty field was headed away however Allen Camper’s curling freekick within the thirty sixth minute was not handled correctly by Shamsher and Figo Syndai was at hand to attain. Meghalaya virtually took the lead in first half harm time when Sheen moved down the left and crossed, however Gurtej handled the hazard.
The second half was extra attritional with neither facet going all-out. Meghalaya impressed with their self-discipline, retaining the form and constructing assaults. A 77th minute header by Donald Diengdoh was saved by Shamsher, however the relentless Meghalaya clinched it when Donald’s cross discovered Sheen, whose left-footer despatched Meghalaya into their maiden last. He broke into the well-known ‘Siuu’ celebration of Cristiano Ronaldo as Meghalaya added one other effective chapter to their rising soccer story.
On the match eve, the organisers had assured an honest turnout, however the stadium largely bore a abandoned look with volunteers far outnumbering the sluggish trickle of spectators. Eventually, nearly 100 turned up regardless of tickets being priced at Saudi Riyal 5 and SR 10 for each matches.
“It’s not a problem. This being a working day, a low turnout was expected. We are hoping for more people to turn up for the final, which is on Saturday. We are also spreading awareness about the matches among the Indian community through our social channels,” Dr Suhel Ajaz Khan, India’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, mentioned.
The Indian embassy has been in contact with native faculties to get college students to refill the stands and Saturday’s last expects a lot bigger attendance.
“We didn’t expect all of India to turn up… These are just baby steps and our primary goal is to build Saudi-India football collaboration,” All India Football Federation secretary-general Shaji Prabhakaran mentioned.
Source web site: www.hindustantimes.com
