Shillong, Jun 5: Nongkseh SSCC concluded their sensational maiden campaign in the Meghalaya State League with victory in the final against Langsning FC in an electrifying last match of MSL 5 at the SSA Stadium here tonight in front of a sold-out crowd.
Nongkseh delivered arguably their best performance of the entire season as they came from a goal down to beat Langsning 2-1. As champions Nongkseh were awarded a stunning trophy and a cheque of Rs 8 lakh from Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, who was accompanied by Deputy CM Prestone Tynsong, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Wailadmiki Shylla and numerous other dignitaries. Runners-up Langsning took home Rs 5 lakh – this is the highest prize purse in MSL history.
Nongkseh conceded an own goal (45’+1) just before the half time break but came storming back in the second half through captain fantastic Hardy Cliff Nongbri (61′) and super sub Shano Tariang (68′). It was a tremendous end to the fifth edition of the MSL, which is an initiative of the Meghalaya Football Association with the full support of the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs.
The fan support for the MSL has been tremendous throughout the tournament but today’s excitement was on a different level altogether, with tickets sold out early in the afternoon, a testament to the passion of the fans for local football.
This edition of the MSL was more ambitious, as there were more participating teams (33) than ever before, more venues (8) and more matches (139). This year the league met all the requirements of the All India Football Federation, with its Competition Management System and Centralised Registration System employed along with the requisite number of matches for the champions to participate in I-League 3.
The participating teams and local organising committees were professional in their conduct throughout, which made the tournament, which has extra significance as it took place during the MFA’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, a resounding success.
Banpynkhrawnam Nongkhlaw got an unlucky touch on the ball as Langsning attacked and that led to the own goal that put Nongkseh behind. Shano was introduced at the start of the second half and Nongkseh were even more dangerous. Sheen Sohktung chipped the ball for Hardy to head in the equaliser and Kitboklang Pale then provided the assist during a counterattack that led to Shano scoring while slightly off balance.
Langsning threw everything they could to get back into the contest but there were no more goals left in the match. Huge credit has to go to the fans of both sides, with barely a soul leaving before the final whistle brought a glorious MSL to a successful conclusion.
Individual prizes were also distributed at the closing ceremony, with Nongkseh’s Kitboklang Pale named Player of the Final, Guidle Syiemlieh of Nongkseh Best Goalkeeper, Nelson Rymbai of Langsning the Top Scorer (23 goals) and Hardy Cliff Nongbri of Nongkseh the Player of the Tournament.
There can be no doubt that football is alive and well in Meghalaya, with the terrific turnout proof that the continuing investment of the state government, MFA, district associations and all other stakeholders has the potential to take Meghalaya football to greater heights.
