Shillong, May 10: With the hard work of the preliminary rounds done, the 16 teams to have reached the second stage of the 5th Meghalaya State League will be put through a different kind of test on Monday with the Round of 16 matches taking place at seven different venues across the state.
Arguably the most interesting of these will be the first to kick off – the contest between Group B winners Nangkiew Irat SC and Group A runners-up Khimusniang SC. This game will begin at 1pm at the SSA Stadium here.
Shillong-based Nangkiew Irat had a fairly easy run to the top of their group but will have a huge task when they go up against Khimusniang. This team are one of the most exciting clubs in MSL 5 – having won the West Jaintia District Sports Association’s Super Division 2025, they gave Nongkseh SSCC, one of the clear favourites for the MSL title, a real run for their money in Group A, and the boys from Jowai will be itching to knock down Nangkiew Irat and progress to the third stage.
Nongkseh meanwhile, will be in action later, at 5:30pm at the same venue, against Group B runners-up Mawphu SC. The latter, from Sohra Sports Association, certainly have some talented names in the ranks but an upset against Nongkseh would be miraculous.
Defending champions Mawlai SC, meanwhile, will be up against Thangskai Tiger SC in Amlarem. Mawlai topped Group C, while the Tigers were second in Group D. Although several top players missed a few group games because Mawlai were involved in the I-League 3, the team should be up to full strength now that they have returned home. Thangskai have been a strong team in East Jaintia Hills football in recent seasons and this should be a good contest.
The Group D winners were another EJH side, Rymbai Shkenshynriah SC. They have been unbeaten so far, with five wins and a draw, and they will face Amlarem SC, who were second to Mawlai in Group C. Shkenshynriah were also semifinalists in MSL 4 and will want to at least repeat that this time around.
Former MSL champions Shillong Lajong FC have been playing their Group E games in Wahiajer and this is where they will face Group F runners-up Mishon SSCC. Lajong, who won the title in 2019 and were runners-up to Mawlai in the last edition, won all six of their group games comfortably and will be aiming to take care of Mishon in the same way.
Mishon were second in Group F to Langsning FC – one of the historically strongest clubs in Meghalaya not to have won the MSL up to now. Langsning will have to deal with Lumphyrnai Sohphoh FC, who finished behind Lajong in Group E.
The other two Round of 16 matches will be completely unpredictable.
In Williamnagar, Janepih YSCA were dominant, losing just one match on their way to claiming first place in Group G. They will face Group H runners-up, 2023 MSL winners Rangdajied United FC, who have had a difficult run this season but who are eager to turn the tide.
First place in Group H was claimed by Seng Samla Umdang Pyllun and they will face Maram FC (Group G runners-up) in Mawkyrwat. Umdang Pyllun, Rangdajied and Mawten all finished with 8 points after the group stage with Mawten losing out due to head-to-head results, which are considered first before goal difference. Maram had similar results to Janepih, with the only difference being a second defeat. They are the only remaining side from Garo Hills and will look to progress deeper into the tournament.
Tomorrow’s fixtures:
Shillong (SSA Stadium) – Nangkiew Irat SC vs Khimusniang SC, 1pm
Shillong (SSA Stadium) – Nongkseh SSCC vs Mawphu SC, 5:30pm
Amlarem (Ladjaplem) – Mawlai SC vs Thangskai Tiger SC, 2pm
Wahiajer (Wahiajer Sports Complex) – Shillong Lajong FC vs Mishon SSCC, 2pm
Williamnagar (WDSA Ground) – Janepih YSCA vs Rangdajied United FC, 2pm
Khliehriat (Deinchynrum) – Rymbai Shkenshynriah SC vs Amlarem SC, 2pm
Mairang (Dommawlum) – Langsning FC vs Lumphyrnai Sohphoh FC, 2pm
Mawkyrwat (MDSA Ground) – Seng Samla Umdang Pyllun vs Maram FC, 2pm
