Dr T Ao Memorial Football Tournament

Shillong, Feb 23: Meghalaya started their Dr T Ao Memorial Football Tournament on a winning note with a 1-0 victory over Sikkim in Group B.

Freestar Kharbangar scored the lone goal in the 85th minute, while Donboklang Lyngdoh won the man-of-the-match award for a sparkling performance throughout the match.

The young Meghalaya boys took quite a while  to adjust to the ground at the Sonapur venue as it is a natural grass pitch. The condition of the ground made it a slowish game, with Meghalaya only really adapting in the second half, while Sikkim also displayed good football.

“After a positive change of tactical plan, we played better for the whole second half and should have scored more,” coach Bobby Nongbet said in an email.

“We need to play well again tomorrow as we are not given rest. Back-to-back matches are really tough,” he added, while stating that a request for a day’s rest was made but declined by the organisers.

Meghalaya will take on Tripura tomorrow at 5PM.

(Photos contributed)