Shillong, Dec 27: Meghalaya’s involvement in the Senior Men’s National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy 2024-25 ended on Friday after a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Services in the fourth and last quarterfinal in Hyderabad.
The defending champions struck on either side of half time via Thingnam Bidhyasagar Singh (33’) and Rahul Ramakrishnan (46’) following defensive mistakes before Meghalaya, who never gave up the fight, pulled one back late in the day through an on target header by Overkindness L Mawnai (86’).
Services have now won four (including the last three) of five meetings in the Santosh Trophy against Meghalaya.
At two goals down and with time running out, attacking substitutions by coach Hering Shangpliang were called for and all five possible changes to personnel were made by around 70 minutes. Meghalaya created several good chances right through the match but their radar was a little off and they could not find the target until an unmarked Overkindness powered home a header following a cross from the right flank.
Meghalaya thus bow out with four wins, three draws and two defeats since the preliminary stage began back in November.Friday’s other result in the quarterfinal round saw Kerala pip Jammu & Kashmir 1-0. Thursday saw West Bengal defeat Odisha 3-1 while Manipur were 5-2 victors over Delhi. All four semifinalists are former champions, having won the Trophy at least once each.
Meghalaya’s spirited campaign in the Santosh Trophy 2024-25 will be remembered for its determination and resilience, even in the face of setbacks.
