Mawlai, Lumparing confirm semi-final spots

SHILLONG, July 7: Defending champions Mawlai SC and Lumparing SC confirmed their places in the semifinals of the Shillong Sports Association’s Women’s League by romping to victory in their respective matches today. While, Lumparing won 6-0 over Synroplang 77 in the earlier match, Mawlai then went one better to beat Maw U-Tieng 7-0. Both matches were in Group B. Yesterday, Laitkor SC and PFR Football Academy booked their places in the last-four from Group A. However, the exact semifinal fixtures have yet to be decided as the fight for first place in both groups is still on. In the opening match today, it took more than half an hour before Lumparing were able to get a goal past Synroplang, with the first and only strike of the first half netted by Chibaral Sangma (32’). However, it opened up a lot more in the second 35 minutes, with Catherine Kharkongor (38’, 69’), Ephilis Khongwet (47’) and Inri-la-i-dor Khongthaw (49’, 67’) helping Lumparing to a stomping win.In the next game, Mawlai went the other way and scored five goals in the first half, with Makrisha Songthiang (3’) opening her team’s account. Sunalinda Iawren (8’, 24’, 29’, 53’) then stole the show with four goals in all, the second one a particularly impressive volley that she had to reach high in the air for. Iawren was also helped by the fine crosses by Marbarin Nongrum, who dominated the right flank and contributed to at least two goals. The other two strikes were from the boots of Dai-aijingsuk Basaiawmoit (25’) and Ideibanri Kharpan (46’). From Maw U-Tieng’s side, Nibari Maring pulled off some excellent saves over the course of the game; one bobble, though, led to Kharpan’s goal but otherwise she performed admirably. At the opposite end, however, Maw U-Tieng were unable to penetrate the rock solid defence of the defending champions. There will be no matches in the Women’s League until 12 July, when Kick Start Football Coaching Centre are to face Umpling SC at 2:30pm and Mawkriah West SC take on Lawei Smit SC at 4:15pm. Both games are in Group A.