Shillong, Feb 20: Meghalaya scripted history by beating former champions West Bengal 2-1 to finish second in their group and qualify for the semi-finals of the Santosh Trophy National Football Championships for the first time in Bhubaneswar on Monday. .
Victory, along with a 4-0 loss for Railways to group leaders Services, meant that Meghalaya secured second place and did not have to concern themselves with match between Manipur and Delhi.
Bengal had not won a single game before Monday but seized the lead through Sougata Hansda in the 36th minute.
However, they were unable to hold that advantage going into the break as Meghalaya struck twice towards the end of the first half thanks to Allen Lyngdoh Nongbri (44’) and Nikelson Bina (45’+3). Bina was subsequently named Player of the Match.
Coach Khlain Pyrkhat Syiemlieh made just the one change from the 5-1 victory against Delhi two days ago – bringing in Ronaldkydon Lyngdoh Nonglait for Fullmoon Mukhim – and the winning combination of players delivered what was needed.
Out of five matches in the group stage of the final round, Meghalaya won three (the other win coming against Manipur), drew with Railways and lost to Services.
Earlier, in the preliminary round, Meghalaya netted 11 points from five matches. They started with a draw against Sikkim and then recorded three wins over Telangana, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Pondicherry before drawing with Odisha on New Year’s Day.
Meghalaya have shown real progress this year; in last year’s edition of the Santosh Trophy, they qualified through the zonal round but only finished fourth in their final round group.
In fact, this year has seen real differences throughout the competition. Out of the four semifinalists from 2021-2022, only one state has managed to make it to the last-four this time – Karnataka from Group A.
Gone are not just West Bengal – the most successful team in Santosh Trophy history and last year’s runners-up – but also reigning champions Kerala and five-time champions Goa.
Punjab have won the title six times but the last title came in 2007-08. Services have as many champions’ trophies as well and their last success was much more recently, in 2018-19.
Karnataka have been winners of the Santosh Trophy four times but not since 1968-69 when they were still playing as Mysore.
“There is a good mix of boys who have experience playing not just Santosh Trophy but also for clubs outside the state,” Syiemlieh said after the match.
“They have a lot of hunger and desire and I’m very happy for them. They deserve it.”
Despite boasting of some big clubs that have been part of the I-League (Shillong Lajong, Royal Wahingdoh and Rangdajied United), and India internationals of the calibre of Eugenson Lyngdoh and Aiborlang Khongjee, Meghalaya have never truly been regarded as a powerhouse of northeast football, let alone that of India.
A solitary bronze, won in the National Games in 2007, has been their best achievement in the game. (Agencies)
