Shillong, Dec 6: Meghalaya played their last Group B match of the BC Roy Trophy (Tier 1) against Jharkhand in Cuttack yesterday, with the match ending 2-2.
Needing a win to keep their hopes of qualifying for the semifinal alive, Meghalaya went into the match in a positive frame of mind, but were up against a Jharkhand team that largely consisted of players from the renowned Tata Football Academy.
In the fifth minute Jharkhand went ahead, but Meghalaya then started to keep more of the ball and kept attacking and this paid off in the 26th minute when Dajiedlang Wanshnong scored the equaliser.
It stayed 1-1 until half time, but in the second half it was Jharkhand who again went ahead following a free-kick.
Meghalaya fought hard to get back into the contest and they were able to draw level again when substitute Badonlang Rapsang scored in the 88th minute after an assist from Kitboklang Khyriem.
The contest ended 2-2 and Meghalaya finished with four points. Jharkhand finished on five, while West Bengal went on to claim the semifinal spot with seven points. New Delhi ended with zero.
On Monday Meghalaya had defeated New Delhi 2-1. Meghalaya took the lead in the 17th minute when Sangti Janai Shanglong received a diagonal pass from Saveme Tariang, pierced through the right flank and tapped the ball into the net. They then bagged the second goal through Dajiedlang Wanshnong in the 38th minute when he and Henry Nongneng combined well to open up the Delhi defence. Wanshnong scored with a fierce shot from outside the box.
Meghalaya’s only defeat came in their first match on Saturday against eventual group toppers West Bengal. The result was 3-1 in Bengal’s favour, with Wanshnong scoring Meghalaya’s goal via a penalty kick.
Squad: Saveme Tariang, Bankyrshan Syiemlieh, Henryford Nongneng, Sangti Janai Shanglong, Dajiedlang Wanshnong, Kitboklang Khyriem, Aibiang Mame Nongneng, Skillfull Tariang, Urbanity Makroh, Badonlang Rapsang, Fairlystar Suting, Dathrang O Sutong, Ioanis Suchen, Iohborlang Lyngkhoi, Shankerlang Kshiar, Maxderidoff Wahlang, Glennys Lynrah, Sumarbha Bareh, Torilang Wanniang, Ferdinand Kharbuki
Coach: Bobby L Nongbet
Manager/Assistant Coach: Rohit Nongspung
Physio: Vicky Syiem
