Shillong, Jul 21: Matches in the inaugural edition of the Meghalaya Youth League 2024, organised by the Meghalaya Football Association with support of the Meghalaya government, got off to a successful start at venues across the state yesterday.
Zone B, covering Jaintia Hills, saw some of the closest action and contrasting results between the U-14 and U-16 teams.
In the U-14 category, Saipung Block Sports Association won 2-1 over East Jaintia District Football Association but the result, and the scoreline, were reversed in the U-16 division, with East Jaintia 2-1 victors over Saipung.
In the same zone, Amlarem Block Sports Association won both the U-14 and U-16 matches against Laskein Block Sports Association 4-1 and 1-0 respectively. Emon Mylliem scored a hat-trick in the U-14 contest for Amlarem.
Zone A, covering Garo Hills, just had the one match, in the U-14 category, and this saw Tura District Football Association romping home to a 13-0 victory over Baghmara District Football Association, with hat-tricks for Watching K Marak, Chegado Ch Marak and Adoweanga R Marak.
In Shillong, Zone C began with Shillong Sports Association hosting Ri-Bhoi District Sports Association and the visitors were victorious in both age groups, winning the U-14 match 3-0 and the U-16 game 3-2. Although the scoreline suggests that Ri-Bhoi ran away with the U-14 game, Shillong had almost as many scoring opportunities but the difference between the two teams is that Ri-Bhoi grasped their chances and converted them.
Zone C was also meant to have an U-16 match in Jirang between Western Ri-Bhoi Sports Association and Riwar Mihngi Football Association but this game was washed out due to very heavy rain and both sides were awarded 1 point each.
Zone D is the biggest with six teams and it featured three matches on the opening day, with big wins for Nongstoin District Sports Association, Mawkyrwat District Sports Association and Pyndengumiong District Sports Association in the U-14 age group.
Nongstoin were 7-0 victors over Eastern Border Sports Association, while Mawkyrwat defeated Tyrsad Area Sports Association 3-0 and Pyndengumiong won 5-0 over Mawshynrut Sports Association.
In the U-16 event, Nongstoin came from a goal down to beat Eastern Border 6-1, while Mawkyrwat pipped Tyrsad 1-0. A very even contest between Pyndengumiong and Mawshynrut at Dommawlum Playground finished all-square at 3-3.
A hugely exciting and fun day of youth football ended with 62 goals scored by 50 different players, setting a high benchmark for the matches to come. The next round will be played on 27th July.
(Meghalaya Football Association photo. Shillong Sports Association in green, Ri-Bhoi District Sports Association in blue)
