Tyrsad crowned girls’ champs
SHILLONG: It was a double triumph for St Anthony’s HSS as they proved victorious in the finals of the U-14 and U-17 boys East Khasi Hills Subroto Cup Football Tournament, held at a wet and windy JN Stadium, Polo, on Saturday.
The competition was organised by the East Khasi Hills District Sports Office.
Meanwhile, in the U-17 girls final, Tyrsad HSS cemented their position as one of the strongest schools in the state when they beat Mawpdai Area Secondary School 5-0 in the early match.
Morda Khongsit scored a hat-trick (12th, 18th and 33rd minutes) for Tyrsad, who were state level champions last year as well. Baiahunlang Nongbet contributed two goals in the 50th and 54th minutes.
Both of the boys finals were pushed into extra time and the U-17 St Anthony’s team beat last year’s national champions OM Roy Memorial HSS 2-1 after coming back from a goal down.
The U-14 title match was a different affair; the Anthonians failed to hold onto a 1-0 lead as H Elias HSS equalised in the dying minutes of normal time. However, Rheadolf Nongneng’s second goal of the game was enough to settle the match 2-1 in favour of St Anthony’s, who also won the 2013 state level competition.
The youngsters were impressive in all the finals, with the U-17 boys especially showing a lot of promise with their impressive, energetic display.
Whichever school eventually represents the state at the national level, Meghalaya is sure to give a strong fight in the pan-India tournament.
OM Roy Memorial took the lead in the 23rd minute through Allan Camper Nongbri, but a mistake from the goalkeeper ultimately proved costly.
The keeper was adjudged by the linesman to have carried the ball outside the area before kicking it, giving a free kick to Anthony’s just outside the box.
A perfectly placed shot from Melvin Marbaniang earned St Anthony’s the equaliser and David Shangpliang then smashed in what proved to be the winner in the second session of extra time.
OM Roy were not willing to go down without a fight, but all their efforts for a second goal were rebuffed.
In the U-14 final, a handball by an H Elias player on the right flank outside the box gave St Anthony’s the opportunity to take the lead, which they did through a beautiful curling kick by Rheadolf in the 14th minute.
The rain fell heavily in this match, making it difficult for the colts, but they fought on with spirit.
Opportunities after the goal were slim, but H Elias did earn a run of four consecutive corners just before half time, though without converting any.
The second half saw no decisive opportunity to score and it was just when Anthony’s must have been looking forward to lifting the trophy that their opponents squeezed in an equaliser, thanks to Kynsailang Khongsit.
But Rheadolf earned the winner deep into extra time with another fantastic free kick from long range, bringing a double dose of joy for St Anthony’s.
Medals and trophies were distributed by dignitaries including DM Wahlang, East Khasi Hills Additional District Commissioner; Wanshan Kharkrang, Meghalaya Football Players Association (MFPA) general secretary; Cliff Nongrum, MFPA president; Clive W Dunai, Assistant Director Sports; P Marbaniang, Ri-Bhoi District Sports Officer (DSO) and George E Lyngdoh, East Khasi Hills DSO.