Shillong (Meghalaya), May 30: Langsning FC held their nerve to beat Shillong Lajong 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in extra time, booking a first-ever Meghalaya State League final against debutants Nongkseh SSCC on June 5.
Fridison Wanniang gave Lajong the lead in the 21st minute with a crisp left-footer, but tournament top scorer Nelson Rymbai levelled in the 80th minute with his 23rd goal of MSL 5, finishing off a Chusrang Sangma long throw. Kyrmenskhem Mukhim came close for Langsning after the break, only to be denied by goalkeeper Banshanskhem Kharsyntiew.
With extra time goalless, the shootout turned on two moments: goalkeeper Nister Roy Suting saved a Lajong spot-kick and Samchaphrang Lato missed the last one, sealing a 4-2 win for Langsning. A packed SSA Stadium saw Lajong control the first half and Langsning push harder after the break in one of the best games of MSL 5.
The result guarantees a fifth different champion in the league run by the Meghalaya Football Association with support from the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs.
