Shillong, Jan 24: Nongthymmai and NorthEast United will meet in the final of the U-16 Republic Cup after both teams came through their respective semifinals under different circumstances here on Wednesday.
Nongthymmai came from a goal down to beat Langsning 2-1, while NorthEast United cruised past Rympei 4-1.
In the first semi Emboklang Nongkhlaw (16′), Dajiedlang Wanshnong (54′), Tangva Ragui (60′) and Jehova Lalthangsanga (65′) put NEUFC into a strong position before Darylbert Khongriah scored a consolation goal for Rympei in the 69th minute.
Nongkhlaw, Wanshnong and Lalthangsanga are some of the top scorers in the tournament and have all bagged six goals each so far.
In the other game Teibokmi Lyngdoh gave Langsning an early lead in only the eighth minute, but Nongthymmai equalised half an hour later through Banskhemlang Nongdhar. Late in the match Anurag Diwali scored the winner in the 80th minute, inflicting Langsning’s first defeat of the tournament.
The final, on Republic Day, will take place at 1:00pm. The two sides are both from Group A. In their round-robin match NorthEast had defeated Nongthymmai 4-0, but the latter are sure to up their game in the final.
(Photo of a NorthEast United player contributed by the Meghalaya Football Players Association)
