By Joseph Solomon,

AIFF Media Team

SHILLONG: KRYHPSA lost to Rising Student Club 4-3 on penalties in the semi-finals of the second edition of the Hero Indian Women’s League after the full-time scoreline read 0-0 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong, Meghalaya today (April 12, 2018).

The first half started in an electric manner as KRYHPSA wasted little time in formalities and Bala Devi almost scored in the 1^st minute, but her volley from inside the box went inches past the goal.

KRYHPSA overwhelmed Rising Student Club in the early minutes of the match and the opposition custodian saved Grace’s lob attempt in the 10th minute with ease. Rising Student Club’s goalkeeper Tikina Samal made two back-to-back saves in the 17^th and 21^st minute to keep Rising Student Club in the game.

Pyari Xaxa had an excellent opportunity to put Rising Student Club in the lead in the 28^th minute, but her shot from close range went past the opposing custodian.

Although both teams created equal goal scoring opportunities neither proved to be clinical infront of goal and at the way point both teams went into the tunnel on level pegging with the scoreline reading 0-0.

Changing over, Rising Student Club dominated the exchanges and fostered goal scoring opportunities but lack of being clinical infront of goal saw a switch in momentum.

As in the 62^nd minute, KRYHPSA almost took the lead when Ratanbala Devi rounded the opposing custodian and although, her shot was saved, she tried to flick home the rebound. The Rising Student Club defence committed bodies into the box and saw away the danger.

In the 73^rd minute, Rising Student Club rattled the woodwork when a shot from inside the box gave KRYHPSA a scare. Seven minutes later, Rising Student Club had another chance when Subhadra Sahu went clear of the defence, but her shot from outside the box went wide of the goal.

In the dying embers of the match, Bala Devi’s header off a corner-kick went over the bar as the full-time scoreline read 0-0. With both teams playing cautiously, the only chance in the first half of extra time came in the 102^nd minute when Ratanbala Devi’s shot from the edge of the box was dealt with by a heavy tackle.

In the 110^th minute, Bala Devi’s shot rattled the woodwork from handshaking distance as KRYHPSA looked to seal the fate of the match. However, neither team was able to score a goal as the scoreline after 120 minutes of play read 0-0.

In the penalty shoot-out, Rising Student Club emerged the eventual victors defeating KHRYPSA 4-3.