SHILLONG: Bansharai Sun scored a memorable hat-trick to ensure that Rangdajied United FC reached the final of the Shillong Premier League with a resounding 4-1 victory over Malki SC in the first semifinal at the JN Stadium, Polo, on Wednesday.
Man-of-the-Match Bansharai scored in the 19th, 26th and 81st minutes as the Blues, fresh from their first triumph in the I-League on Sunday, took full advantage of a somewhat lacklustre defence.
Incredibly, RUFC have now gone undefeated in 15 SPL matches this season; this was their 14th win overall and second against Malki, with the last match between the two teams ending in a draw, the only game Rangdajied have not won.
Malki appeared to show promise early on, playing a passing game while testing Blues goalkeeper Surjay Pariyar, but a 19th minute conversion by Bansharai helped lay the platform for Rangdajied and they added two more goals before half time.
Bansharai scored his second goal in the 26th minute before Bhola Prasad made it 3-0 a minute before half time.
Malki performed well in the second half and reduced the margin in the 60th minute via a penalty, which captain Brolington Warlarpih converted.
However, Malki could not realise other chances that came their way.
Ebormi Buam nearly provided Malki their second goal late in the second session when he took a powerful shot on goal that Pariyar blocked.
Bansharai then put the match beyond doubt with his 81st minute goal.
With this comprehensive result, Rangdajied are one match away from becoming the first team in SPL history to win the title unbeaten.
Meanwhile, the second semifinal will be contested between defending champions Royal Wahingdoh FC and Langsning FC on Thursday at 1:45pm at the JN Stadium.
This will be a do-or-die match and the winner will still have to get past Malki on December 9 in order to reach the final.
An official close to Wahingdoh said that although the defending champions may not have played their best football this season so far, the boys “are coming back. We are preparing well as a team and there is no injury to the squad.”
Langsning have also not been at their best, but have picked up towards the latter part of the group stage after a slow start.
Only three points separated the two teams, with RWFC finishing in third and Langsning a place behind.
The Royals, however, won a total of eight league games, while their Thursday opponents were only able to win six.
Unlike Malki, who have a second chance to progress to the final, both Wahingdoh and Langsning will have to bring their A-game to the match as they will not have a another opportunity to reach the SPL final, at least for this year.