Shillong, Dec 30: Tynrongmawsaw and Niaw Wasa will meet in the January 6 final of the inaugural Meghalaya State League after both came through two tense second leg semifinals on Saturday.
Both sides had the advantage going into their respective matches today, but there were by no means guaranteed success, with their opponents giving a lot of fight on the pitch.
In Ampati, Druma Sandruma pushed Niaw Wasa right to the edge and won the match 4-2 in a thrilling encounter, but still lost out on aggregate 6-5. After losing the first leg 4-1 in Jowai on December 27, Druma Sandruma knew what they had to do to overcome the large deficit and almost pulled it off, but Niaw Wasa’s two goals today made sure that they were in front on aggregate.
The other match saw Tynrongmawsaw and Langsning play out a goalless draw in the former’s home ground at Mairang. The first leg ended 2-2 in Bhoirymbong, so Langsning needed to win, but despite their strong line-up they could not find a way past the defence of Tynrongmawsaw, who go through to the title match on away goals.
Tynrongmawsaw have thus gotten past two major Shillong clubs in the MSL – Malki in the group stage and now Langsning. They are the standout performers in the inaugural season, but they still have one more hurdle to overcome in the form of the equally exciting Niaw Wasa, who they will meet in the final on January 6 in Jowai.
(Photo of the happy Niaw Wasa team contributed by the Meghalaya Football Association)