Meghalaya qualified for the final rounds of the 78th National Football Championships for Santosh Trophy from Group E after a 1-1 draw against hosts Assam at the Deshbhakta Maidan, Mukalmua, on Sunday, November 24, 2024.
Meghalaya made the grade on the strength of topping the group with seven points. With one draw and wins against Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya topped Group E of the preliminary round with 7 points. Only the top team from each group will progress to the final round of the Santosh Trophy.
Meghalaya knew going into today’s match that they needed a draw to make it through. Against Assam, after a goalless first half, Meghalaya took the lead in the 56th minute through Damanbhalng Diengdoh, but Dipu Mirdha of Assam converted a spot kick to restore parity in the 88th minute to give the hosts hope of a comeback win. However, Meghalaya withstood the pressure and the game ended 1-1.
In the other match of the group, Arunachal Pradesh picked up their first win beating Nagaland 4-3. Arunachal, who led 2-1 at half time, scored their goals through Tagru James (2), Tame Agung and Tarh Dolu.
S Ayenmongba, Khuwangbo Kaurinta and Sentiong found the target for Nagaland.
The winners of each of the nine groups will be joined in the final round by last season’s finalists Services and Goa and hosts Telangana. Meghalaya have been slotted in Group B along with Goa and Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Delhi and Odisha.
