Shillong, December 8: After a phenomenal group stage, the four semifinalists of the SSA Champions Cup will now battle it out as the brand-new tournament that has gripped football fans heads to the knockouts.
Langsning (Shillong Premier League champions and Group A toppers) will be seen in the first semifinal on Tuesday at 4:30pm at the SSA Stadium at First Ground, Polo, against Nongkseh (First Division champions and Group B runners-up).
The next day (Wednesday) will see Shillong Lajong (SPL runners-up and Group B winners) up against Meghalaya Police (First Division runners-up and Group A runners-up) at the same time and place.
The First Division teams have already shown that they can give as good as those in the SPL, with MLP holding Langsning to a 1-1 draw in the group stage, which was also the scoreline when Nongkseh met Lajong.
Looking to the first match, Langsning were the only one of the last-four not to have qualified for the semis with a game in hand. But when they finally did do so, on Saturday, they did it in fantastic style, winning 6-0 against Mawkasiang.
They have been excellent in defence, conceding just 1 goal in four games thanks to the ever reliable goalkeeper Rajat Paul Lyngdoh and a revolving cast of defenders. After missing out against Mawkasiang through suspension, expect Atlanson Kharmaw and Manbhalang Nongmin back to lead the back line. Up front, Donlad Diengdoh has proven to be still hungry for further glory, with a hat-trick in the last game and he has plenty of support in the form of Dajiedlang Wanshnong, Nelson Rymbai and Wanshwadame Diengdoh.
Nongkseh, meanwhile, are on a 13-game unbeaten streak in SSA tournaments this year – they won all nine in the First Division before winning three and drawing one in the Champions Cup. Indeed, it would be a 13-game winning streak had Lajong not stopped them in their tracks on 4 December.
Although difficult to accept, Nongkseh should be philosophical about the draw – it was bound to happen eventually. The club’s exceptional array of talent is so vast it is almost impossible to focus on just a few key players, but certain names stand out – like the tireless Chesterpaul Lyngdoh and Hardy Cliff Nongbri in the midfield and Kitboklang Pale and Kynsaibor Lhuid up front. Daraphun Talang is perhaps slightly inexperienced when compared to his team mates but he has done an admirable job so far and has the backing of defensive rocks like Arlangky Nongsiej, Mebankhraw Wahlang and Banpynkhrawnam Nongkhlaw.
On current form alone, Nongkseh would appear to have the advantage but it would be foolish to count out the SPL champions Langsning. What could sway the outcome is the crowd – Nongkseh’s fans are some of the most passionate in Shillong and will no doubt turn out in huge numbers for such a crunch match. Though the result is unpredictable, the game is sure to be an epic encounter.
