Shillong, Apr 15: The 5th Meghalaya State League opened with a fantastic Group A match that Nongkseh SSCC won 2-1 against Khimusniang SC at the SSA Stadium here this evening.
Sheen Sohktung (19’) and Hardy Cliff Nongbri (90’+2) scored for Nongkseh and Dawanbiangmi Passah (51’) for Khimusniang.
Both sides were making their debuts in the statewide league, which is organised by the Meghalaya Football Association with support from the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Meghalaya.
While Nongkseh rocketed to huge success in 2025 having won the First Division title and Champions Cup during the Shillong Sports Association’s season, not to mention the Sikkim Gold Cup in January, Khimusniang lifted the coveted U Kiang Nangbah Memorial Trophy by winning the final of the West Jaintia District Sports Association’s Super Division 2025.
MSL 5 was formally opened by the chief guest, the Honourable Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Wailadmiki Shylla. In a short speech before kick-off, he said that the MSL provides a platform to all associations and clubs to feature on the big stage, with the champions eligible to go national and play in I-League 3. He added that the Directorate is eager to see more footballers from Meghalaya go on to represent the state and the national team and the MSL is a stepping stone on that path.
As the action began it was Khimusniang that got out of the blocks faster as they pressured Nongkseh’s back line time and again, with Dawanbiangmi particularly impressive on the left flank.
However, from the 10th minute on Nongkseh’s experienced players began to exert more dominance and Sheen curled in a peach of a shot from the edge of the box for the opening goal. All the remaining chances in the first half belonged to Nongkseh, with Shano Tariang going over the crossbar and Chesterpaul Lyngdoh dragging another wide. Shano was then on target in the 26th minute but Daemitre Dan pulled out a fantastic save to deny Nongkseh a second goal.
Like they did in the first half, Khimusniang started the second 45 minutes strongly. A slight mistake at the back by Nongkseh opened up the way for the West Jaintia club and Dawanbiangmi got to the end of a diagonal ball and poked it into the net.
Nongkseh poured themselves into the attack after that while Khimusniang were more willing to take a draw. Nongkseh came close when a free-kick thundered into the upright but it was in the second minute of stoppage time when they finally found the mark, with captain Hardy spearing the ball in following an intense period of play.
It was a tough defeat to take but Khimusniang can come away with their heads held high; against any other team they probably would have claimed 3 points with a performance like today’s and the league is a long enough one for them to bounce back.
The action continues tomorrow with seven matches spread across the state as MSL 5 gets going in earnest. The bar has been set high with the opening fixture and there will be more highly entertaining football to come.
Tomorrow’s fixtures (all to kick off at 3pm):
Group A (Shillong SSA Stadium) – Mawshun SCC vs Umkaber SCC
Group B (Shillong MFA Ground) – Nangkiew Irat SC vs Mulang SC Nongbah
Group C (Amlarem) – Mawlai SC vs Amlarem SC
Group D (Khliehriat) – Thangskai Tiger SC vs Ladthadlaboh SC
Group E (Wahiajer) – Shillong Lajong FC vs Lumphyrnai Sohphoh FC
Group F (Mairang) – No match scheduled
Group G (Williamnagar) – A’chik SCO Rongjeng vs Maram FC
Group H (Mawkyrwat) – Rangdajied United FC vs Mawten SC
