Santosh Trophy: Meghalaya's Fairytale Run Continues As They Stun Eight-Time Champions Punjab To Reach Final
Meghalaya came back from behind to register a stunning win and reach their maiden finale.
Riyadh: A superb 91st minute goal from Sheen Stevenson Sohktung goal helped Meghalaya script history at the King Fahd International Stadium on Wednesay as they beat eight-time champions Punjab to reach their maiden final.
Meghalaya were a goal down as Punjab's Paramjit Singh had scored in the 16th minute to put them in the lead but Figo Syndal 37th minute strike helped them equalise before they found the winner in the first minute of the added time of the second-half.
Meghalaya were the side which gelled together brilliantly as a unit, especially in the first half. Punjab produced a weak performance. It didn't help that they had to be without four of their preferred starters in goalkeeper Harpreet Singh, striker Rohit Sheikh and Biplub Kala.
Punjab started the match on a bright note and made the first attack but Gurtej Singh's attempt was deflected out.
Though Meghalaya made a couple of counter-attacks in the first five minutes, and Ronaldkydon Lyngdoh's superb cross inside the D went abegging as his fellow forwards failed to capitalise on the chance.
Punjab went ahead in the 16th minute when Paramjit Singh capitalised on a fine attack and scored the opening goal of the match, slotting the ball home with a long0-range effort off a faulty clearance.
However, Punjab conceded their early midfield advantage and allowed Meghalaya to establish their ascendancy. They took control of the midfield and started dominating possession. Their attacks were well structured and they put the Punjab defence under a lot of pressure.
They equalised in the 37th minute when midfielder Figo Syndal tapped home the ball from close range after it was headed down by Nikalson Bina off a freekick by Allen Camper Lyngdoh.
Syndal had another chance soon after when he made a good run across the box but shot wide. They also failed to capitalise on a couple of more chances as the teams went into half-time with a score of 1-1.
Meghalaya continued to hold the advantage in the second session and though their attacks were more sporadic, they could not capitalise on them and score the winner.
Punjab attempted some counterattacks, attempting to absorb the pressure and relieve the tension with swift long balls. However, their forwards looked clueless in the final third and lost the ball near the box.
But just when it looked like the match would go into extra time, Donlad Dieengdoh sealed a memorable victory for Meghala in the added time with a brilliant long-range effort that went past the Punjab goalkeeper Shamsher Singh Mahala, who had made some good saves.
Post the win, the members of the winning team were even seen replicating the iconic "Siuuu" goal celebration of legendary footballer Cristiano Ronaldo.
SIUUUUUUUU 💥
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 1, 2023
Absolute scenes at the Meghalaya camp 🙌#HeroSantoshTrophy 🏆 #IndianFootball ⚽ @MeghalayaFA pic.twitter.com/TPUlBADyCP
Meghalaya will now meet the winnner of the second semi-final between Services and Karnataka.
(With Inputs from IANS)
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