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| Archers aim for the bullseye during the Games in Shillong on Thursday. Picture by Eastern Projections |
Shillong, April 22: Nagaland today caused a major upset edging past defending champions Manipur 1-0 to book a final berth in the football meet of the 24th North East Games at Polo Ground here.
They will meet Mizoram in the final at 10am tomorrow. Mizoram put an end to hosts Meghalaya’s campaign winning the second semi-final 2-0 in extra time.
In the first semi-final, Manipur started aggressively and initiated several moves into the opponent’s territory in the initial few minutes.
However, the break remained elusive as they lacked good strikers.
The Manipur side squandered their best opportunity when striker Kh. Naoton Singh missed a penalty kick awarded in the first half.
Saku Temjen of Nagaland found the net for the all-important goal in the 40th minute.
Though the Manipur men made umpteen forays into the rival territory in the later half of the match, they could not make any breakthrough.
The second semi-final saw the hosts holding Mizoram to a goalless draw till regulation time. The home side created some opening for themselves during the match but could not convert any of them because of some brilliant defence by the opponent defenders.
Jerry Zoringsanga drew first blood in the first minute of extra time. Lalrinpuia further consolidated the lead 14 minutes later to make it 2-0.
The Meghalaya men went all out in the second 15 minutes of extra time but could hardly penetrate the Mizoram defence as the visitors dedicated 10 men for defence.
Prior to the final, Meghalaya will meet Manipur in the playoff for the third place at 8am tomorrow.