Shillong, Nov 13: H Elias Higher Secondary School, who represented Meghalaya in the U-17 boys Subroto Cup in New Delhi, were defeated for the first time today by Assam, who came from a goal down to win 2-1.
Defeat means that the Meghalaya team will not be able to progress out of Group E to the quarterfinals. Only the top team from each group will progress.
Needing a win to qualify, the Meghalaya boys were more attacking and scored through a penalty taken by Dajied Wanshnong, coach Bobby Lyngdoh Nongbet informed through an email.
Meghalaya dominated play throughout but couldn’t get a second goal. Then, Assam netted the equaliser and went ahead after an H Elias player committed a handball offence.
In the second half, Meghalaya kept on challenging the Assam defence throughout but there were no further goals for the boys.
Yesterday H Elias defeated a school from Chhattisgarh 7-0 with goals from Wadajied Ryngkhlem, Kitboklang Khyriem, Gladdy Kharbuli, Lalfakzuala and Emboklang Nongkhlaw.
On Saturday they drew with New Delhi 0-0 and on Thursday they had won their opening game 2-0 over Chandigarh, thanks to goals from Kharbuli and Khyriem.
“I am happy with the way the boys played in this competition,” Lyngdoh Nongbet said. “They were way much younger and it’s just incredible to see the quality and exhibition of football, which as commendable. Though we lost, I have not seen this level of football maturity for a long time and I have now. I’m proud of the boys and I feel that they have a great future ahead.”
Meanwhile, In the U-17 girls division, Meghalaya’s Umpohliew Jingtip Higher Secondary School were knocked out in the group stage at the end of last month.
Meghalaya won their first game 1-0 over a school from Maharashtra, but lost to Gujarat 2-0 and then drew with Sikkim 3-3.
In the U-14 boys division Umpohliew Jingtip reached the quarterfinal stage after topping Group C, but then lost to a school from Bangladesh on penalties.
(Photo contributed)
