All India Football Tournament
SHILLONG: Royal Wahingdoh FC booked their place in the final of the U-20 All India Football Tournament at Chittaranjan in West Bengal on Thursday beating current IFA Shield champions Tata Football Academy 7-6 in tie breaker. The Royals will face Mohun Bagan Sail Academy in the final to be played under lights on Friday evening. Earlier, the two sides were tied at 0-0 at the end of the stipulated 90 minutes and eventually the outcome of the crucial encounter had to be decided through a tie breaker. RWFC, who were dominant all along, missed a golden opportunity to take the decisive lead when a penalty strike was awarded to them in the 42nd minute after Tajjuddin was fouled inside the box. However, Khusen Manger failed to convert from the spot. Later the Royals won 7-6 and will now look forward to conquer home favourites Bagan Sail Academy who got the better of the Shillong side in the league stage. While RWFC had beaten East Bengal 5-0 en route to the semis, TFA had tamed Shillong Lajong FC to make it to the round of four. “It was a great win for us against a formidable opponent,” RWFC coach Bob L Nongbet said adding that his side is confident of a good show against Mohun Bagan Sail Academy. RWFC assistant coach Playerson Syiemlieh said that the tough semi final match had provided sound match practice for the Royals ahead of the all-important final on Saturday.
