Shillong, Sep 29: Laban defended their Bodoland Gallants Gold Cup title by defeating Yarkhok United of Manipur 2-1 in the final in Dimakuchi today.
Eijingmut Lyngdoh scored twice, while Worchupie Kashung found the back of the net once for Yarkhok. This was a rematch of last year’s final, which Laban also won 2-1.
A ball forward by Laban in under 30 minutes saw a Yarkhok defender try to shield the ball from Lyngdoh, but the defender lost his footing, which gifted the ball to Lyngdoh. The Yarkhok goalkeeper, meanwhile, was in no-man’s land by this point – neither forward nor back – and Lyngdoh chipped the ball over and into the net.
In the 53rd minute Stephanson Pale unleashed a terrific strike from the right that struck the woodwork and 12 minutes later he hit the crossbar again.
The 71st minute saw Kashung equalise off a rebound after the Laban goalkeeper first blocked a long-range shot.
Tempers became heated between the two teams as they vied for the lead, but it was Laban who bagged the lead again in the 80th minute when Lyngdoh, perhaps looking to cross, ended up curling the ball into the net from just outside the box on the right.
Laban were awarded with the champions’ trophy and cheque of Rs 50,000. Lyngdoh was named Best Player.
