Shillong, Dec 19: Sikkim came from a goal down in the first half to win 2-1 against Meghalaya in the first Group E match of the Senior Men’s National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy 2025-26 preliminary round at the SSA Stadium at First Ground, Polo, here this evening.
Hardy Cliff Nongbri (19′) gave Meghalaya the lead in front of a supportive crowd but Sikkim came back in the second half and scored two goals in the space of a few minutes through Boxer Pradhan (68′) and Surag Chettri (71′).
With only one team progressing from the group to the final round, Sikkim now have the upper hand. Meghalaya must wait and see how Sunday’s match between Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh plays out – Meghalaya need Arunachal to win in order to keep the home team’s hopes alive.
The match began with the chief guest, Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, Meghalaya Football Association President Hamletson Dohling and MFA General Secretary Sunesh Syiem greeting the players and match officials.
Meghalaya coach Khlain Pyrkhat Syiemlieh had a squad bursting with talent but the players were unable to demonstrate the level of passing and coordinated teamwork that was required to take down the visiting team.
A couple of early chances saw Deibormame Tongper foiled and a Riborlang L Lyngkhoi shot put out for a corner. Then, Apborlang Kurbah delivered an excellent cross from the right flank that Hardy flicked into the back of the net with a header. Sikkim were wary of committing themselves too much in attack and had little in the way of chances in the first 45 minutes, though Boxer did test Meghalaya goalkeeper Nister Roy Suting from point-blank range, which the custodian was able to block.
Nister would again deny Boxer early in the second half – the Sikkim player curled a lovely shot on target but the keeper dived to his left to keep it out. It looked like the goalie could not be beaten, especially after he made three rapid saves at close quarters around 10 minutes later. However, the ball went out for a corner and Sikkim ended up scoring from this, with Boxer finally getting through the defences.
Sikkim’s comeback was complete just a few minutes later, this time with Surag benefitting from a mistake in the defensive line.
Meghalaya tried to find their way back, with Syiemlieh making several attacking substitutions and one of the players introduced, Hamedamanbha Wahlang, fired in a shot in stoppage time that thundered into the upright. A couple of inches to the right and Meghalaya would have equalised – such were the fine margins today.
Sikkim will face Arunachal on Sunday at 4pm. A win will put Sikkim through to the final round but even a draw will knock the hosts out of contention.
