The Shillong Sports Association’s (SSA) 2025 football season began with a rollicking match that saw Golflink SC come from behind to defeat Thynroit 4-3 in Group A of the U-20 Fourth Division at the SSA Stadium at First Ground here yesterday.
The honour of opening the 2025 season was given to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma. In a brief speech, he announced that he will be supporting the SSA for its various leagues this year with Rs 30 lakh, which is an increase on last year’s funding.
The CM also met the players from all the participating Fourth Division teams and presented mementos from the SSA to two female match officials – Lucky Merry Lyngdoh and Batbitbha Bareh – on qualifying as national referees under the All India Football Federation.
The Fourth Division is the lowest rung in the SSA’s men’s football pyramid but the two teams certainly delivered entertaining football. Thynroit held the lead on three separate occasions, with Golflink equalising every time before snatching the win at the very end.
Fairlyway Nongspung (10′, 35′) and Melijohn Sohtun (57′) scored for Thynroit, while Banteilang Wahlang (32′), Ridonroy Laloo (56′), Ribanshan Wahlang (68′) and Mebanaibor Nongkhlaw (80’+2) scoring for Golflink in the 80-minute match. The last goal saw Mebanaibor head in a corner in what was the last action of the game.
