Shillong: Meghalaya concluded their Group A campaign of the Sub-Junior National Football Championship final round unbeaten after playing out a 1-1 draw with Odisha in Kalyani, West Bengal on Thursday. Meghalaya had already secured a place in the semifinal round after winning their opening three fixtures and coach Jefferey Warlarpih took the opportunity to give starts to a couple of players for the first time on Thursday. Odisha broke the deadlock in the 36th minute with a header and this was the first time that Meghalaya had conceded first in the final round. They were behind for around 30 minutes until Baniatyllilang Mawkhiew brought down a chip expertly, steered his way past two defenders and then unleashed a strong left-footer that went past the Odisha goalkeeper in the 67th minute to find the equaliser. This was the third match in a row in which Mawkhiew has scored. As the first-placed team in Group A, Meghalaya will take on the runners-up of Group B (to be decided on Friday) in the first semi-final on Sunday.
