By Our Reporter
Shillong, April 12: Football 4 Change were the stars on a rainy day as they beat Lah Bet FC 6-5 in penalty shootouts at the Assam Rifles Football Ground in the Shillong leg regional final of the Dream Sports Championship on Friday.
The match ended 0-0 in regulation time as both teams battled in a closely fought contest.
In the group stages, Shillong Lajong FC started well with a comfortable 3-1 win over Golden Lion FC. The latter then lost to Lah Bet FC, who set up an important game of Group A for a spot in the regional final, which was won by Lah Bet 2-1. In Group B, Football 4 Change beat Numaligarh Refinery Ltd. FA and Rangdajied United FC, qualifying for the final.The defenders of the two teams were ably supported by the goalkeepers as both sides kept the opponent’s attacks at bay throughout the game. The forward line of Lah Bet FC made multiple chances which they were unable to convert, and this also hurt their team’s The 81st minute might have sealed a win for Football 4 Change but skipper Lunkhongam missed a penalty opportunity. In the end, his team went on to score six penalties in the shootout that eventually took his team to the National Final, which will be held in Mumbai.
“If we had lost the match, then it would have been a sad moment for the team. As the skipper, I would have also been a villain because of my penalty miss, so I am thankful to all my teammates who played to the best of their abilities and helped us win this regional final,” Lunkhongam said after the match.“I am delighted with the boys and their performance in this tournament as well as in the final. The team played very well and now, the focus has shifted to the National Final in Mumbai. The Dream Sports Championship is a brilliant tournament for these young boys and will help them, and other young and aspiring footballers,” said Lam Lun Mang, head coach for the Football 4 Change team.
Goalkeeper Oinam Abin Singh, who was also the captain of Lah Bet FC, was the Man of the Match after making two penalty saves in the match.