Shillong, Mar 1: Laitkor’s never-say-die attitude saw them qualify for the Shillong Sports Association’s Second Division title match after an intense second semifinal at Third Ground, Polo, here today.
Laitkor (pictured) held on for a 3-2 win on penalties over Marbisu after extra time finished 1-1. This means that they will meet Mylliem in Saturday’s final. The two finalists have also secured promotion to next season’s First Division.
Marbisu took the lead in the first half via Anderson Nongdhar and they were able to resist all manner of attacks by Laitkor until Risuklang Malngiang found the equaliser during the six minutes of second half stoppage time.
Tensions were high on the pitch and this spilled over into some pushing and shoving after the equaliser. All that resulted in several cards brandished by the referee, including a red card for a Marbisu player who had already been substituted but who ran on to the field during the fracas as well as a red for a Marbisu official.
Extra time failed to separate the two teams, though yet another Marbisu player was shown a red, this time for an unselfish tackle to prevent what would have been a sure goal for Laitkor.
It thus came down to penalties but here Laitkor held their nerve to win 3-2, with Marbisu having three of their spot kicks blocked by the Laitkor goalkeeper.
(TSR photo)
