Shillong, Jul 24: From bottom of Group E, Laitumkhrah SC turned things around in dramatic fashion to qualify for the pre-quarterfinals of the Shillong Sports Association’s U-20 Fourth Division 2024 by beating Riatsamthiah SC 2-0 at First Ground, Polo today.
In the other game, Nongthymmai Raitnongkynrih SC hammered Umsohsun SC 5-0 in Group C with Iaikyrmenskhem Shynret (4′, 22′, 37′, 69′) scoring a hat-trick. Kheiñkor Nongrum (61′) was responsible for the other goal.
Nongthymmai had already secured a place in the knockouts but finished off their group games in style, becoming the only one of 30 teams to reach double figures in the points and topping Group C.
Today was far more consequential for Laitumkhrah and Riatsamthiah, who were playing in the last group fixture before the pre-quarterfinals. Riatsamthiah started the day in third place and needed just a draw to move up to second and progress to the next round. Laitumkhrah, on the other hand, needed to win and to do so they had to overcome two consecutive defeats.
Although Riatsamthiah were the more positive side in the first half, a spell of a few minutes in the second swung the game in Laitumkhrah’s favour. Fidical Pohshna (49′) first scored through the goalkeeper’s legs while on the run and Hamlet Thabah (53′) then produced a screamer from something like 35 yards out to all but seal the contest.
With all 60 group matches done, the pre-quarterfinals will begin on 27th July. The top two sides from each of the six groups plus the four best third-placed teams have qualified. You can find the fixtures here.
(TSR photo. Laitumkhrah’s Hamlet Thabah (second right) celebrates after scoring)
