Shillong, Jan 20: Laitkor made it to a fourth consecutive Shillong Sports Association Women’s Football League final where they will defend their crown against Lumparing (featured photo celebrating second goal) after both came through their respective semifinal matches at the SSA Stadium at First Ground, Polo, here today.
In the first semi, which was a replay of 2024’s final, Laitkor blanked Pay For Right Academy 2-0. Later, Rangdajied United gave Lumparing plenty of fight but the latter came through 4-2.
Iaraplang Nongrum scored on either side of half time in the 34th and 68th minutes; her first happened to be the 100th of the season.
There was a terrible moment in the second half when two players clashed when going for the ball, with one from PFR needing to be taken to hospital for a suspected fracture (later confirmed). The Laitkor player was sent off with a direct red card.
However, even though Laitkor were a player short from that point, PFR couldn’t penetrate the defence and, instead, it was Iaraplang who scored her second goal from a corner kick.
Later, Lumparing struck twice in the first half through Iaphisha Marbaniang (32′) and Pynhun Shulet (37′) and the latter added another in the 48th minute to make it 3-0.
Rangdajied, however, pulled one back immediately via Ibashembha Khongsit (49′) before Bahunlang Synrem (50′) restored Lumparing’s three-goal margin soon after. Ibadarihun Nongsiej (83′) kept Rangdajied in the hunt towards the end of the game but there was too much for RUFC to do and 4-2 was how the game ended.
The final will take place on 24th January at 1PM. Laitkor will be going for a second consecutive title, while Lumparing (who have never made it past the semifinal round before) will be looking to accomplish a major upset.
(TSR photos)