Meghalaya edges out Punjab to reach maiden Santosh Trophy final

Sheen Sohktung discovered the winner with a spectacular try in injury-time to assist newcomer Meghalaya edge previous former champion Punjab 2-1 within the first semifinal of the 76th National championship for the Santosh Trophy, on the King Fahd International Stadium right here on Wednesday.

Pre-match favorite Punjab took the lead early within the first-half by means of Parmjit Singh earlier than Meghayala made the comeback and located the equaliser off Figo Syndai late in the identical interval. Sohktung’s heroics a few minutes earlier than the ultimate whistle ensured that Meghalaya made it to the primary remaining within the 82-year-old historical past of the event.

Punjab loved the preliminary exchanges and located the break within the sixteenth minute. Parmjit’s long-range grounder went dwelling because of some shoddy defending by Meghalaya.

The Punjab midfielder’s shot from round 25 yards appeared a feeble try however discovered the Meghalaya internet because the latter’s centre-back Wanboklang Lyngkhoi failed to attach as he went for the clearance in entrance of his aim.

Meghalaya regrouped rapidly and took the assault again to the Punjab field and after a few failed makes an attempt, discovered the equaliser off a set-piece state of affairs within the thirty seventh minute. Nikleson Bina nodded down an Allen Lyngdoh free-kick to arrange Figo, who made no mistake together with his ending.

Meghalaya confirmed extra initiative after the break and launched quite a few offensives however didn’t discover success together with his efforts till the primary minute of the injury-time when Sohktung made essentially the most of an help from Donald Diengdoh.