Shillong, Oct 14: Goalkeeper Eveningstar Bareh turned from villain to hero as underdogs Meghalaya Police edged Langsning 5-4 in a dramatic penalty shootout to storm into the SSA Super Cup semifinals.
Bareh, beaten for Langsning’s opener, pulled off the decisive save in the sixth round of spot-kicks to knock out the SPL giants at SSA Stadium, First Ground, today.
It ended 1-1 after 120 minutes. Wadajied Kynsai Ryngkhlem fired Langsning ahead in the 17th minute with a low right-footer off Mebanshngain Kurkalang’s flick. Rapborlang Marwein brought Police level in the 67th with a fine finish beyond Rajat Paul Lyngdoh.
Langsning looked the better side early. Bareh had to dive full-length to deny Samuel L Kynshi and then block a piledriver from Mebanshngain.
After the change of ends, Police — cheered loudly by their uniformed supporters — raised the tempo. Everestarly Rynjah, their SPL top scorer, went close on the hour before Rapborlang’s equaliser.
Drama peaked late. Atlanson Kharmaw’s free-kicks caused panic — Donlad Diengdoh’s 86th-minute header straight at Bareh, and the captain’s stoppage-time set-piece crashing off the woodwork. Mecheal Roy Kurbah scored off the rebound, but offside flag went up.
Extra time belonged to Police, but Pynche Iatyngkan’s curled free-kick failed to find the target.
In the shootout, it was nerves of steel. 3-3 after three kicks each, then Chesterfield Nongdhar hit the bar for MLP and Donlad hit the post for Langsning. MLP converted two more, Langsning one. Then Mangkara Sun stepped up — and Bareh guessed right to seal it.
It is the second thriller in two days after Nongkseh came from behind twice to beat Sawmer 4-2 yesterday.
Police will now meet Shillong Lajong in the second semifinal on Saturday, while Mawlai face Nongkseh on Friday. Kick-off 5 pm.
Six top SPL sides in knockout battle, with Mawlai and Lajong seeded directly into semis.
