Shillong, Sep 28: Umpling SC were under pressure after conceding in the first half but put on a good show to beat Tynring SC 2-1 in extra time of the second semifinal of the Shillong Sports Association’s Third Division 2024 at First Ground, Polo, here today.
Victory means that Umpling will meet Mawryngkneng SC, who had beaten Mawpat SC in the first semifinal earlier in the day, in the final on 2nd October.
Tynring were the more dominant side early on, backed by their marvellous supporters in the stands and went ahead in the 26th minute after Tyngshaiñbor Ryntong aimed one straight at the Umpling goalkeeper, who had little to no time to try and palm the ball away.
It wasn’t until the second half that Umpling found the equaliser and that was after one of their players was clattered in the box by an opposing defender. The penalty was converted by Tonas Nongbri in the 71st minute with a low shot to the keeper’s right.
The goal put a spring in Umpling’s step and they carried forward that momentum into extra time when Mebankitdor Nongkynrih lobbed the custodian in the 100th minute.
For their part, Tynring were a little unlucky as they had two goals disallowed, one for offside in the second half and another in extra time after the referee spotted an infraction in the box.
The two teams had qualified at the top of their respective groups – Umpling from Group C and Tynring from Group D. In the quarterfinals three days ago, Umpling beat Sanmer SC in a tiebreaker while Tynring had breezed past Mawkriah West SC.
(TSR photo. Umpling SC in red/black, Tynring SC in blue)
