Visitors beat hosts Kerala 1-0
SHILLONG: A dogged Meghalaya beat the heat and pressure of playing the hosts to reach the final of the U-14 Sub Junior National Football Tournament in Kozhikode, Kerala on Wednesday. The northeast side beat Kerala 1-0 courtesy a goal from super sub Bankyrshan Syiemlieh in the 4th minute of extra time.
Playing under hot and humid conditions, Meghalaya were put on the back foot by the hosts who controlled the proceedings for the first 15 minutes. However, the visitors, who won all their league matches on the way to the semi-final soon came to their self and began to challenge the Kerala defence.
Meghalaya almost scored in their first attempt soon after with Fairlystar running from the left flank beating all defenders. However, eventually he tapped the ball just wide of the goal. Later in the first half, Glenny’s Lynrah, who has been among goals all along the tournament, missed a sitter inside the box after he was beautifully assisted by Fairlystar.
Crossing over, Meghalaya continued to dominate possession, but were threatened every time the hosts were awarded a corner or a free kick from close range thanks to the height advantage the rivals enjoyed.
Despite the best efforts from both sides the stalemate continued till the 90th minute as the match headed to extra time.
It was then that Bankyrshan Syiemlieh was brought in and four minutes into the first half of extra time the super sub slid to reach for a Fairlystar cross and slammed it home from close range for the winning goal.
Meghalaya will play Mizoram in the final of the tourney on April 28.
