Mawlai and Ladthadlaboh will clash in the first highly anticipated semifinal of the Meghalaya State League 2024 at the SSA Stadium at First Ground, Polo, on Monday. The match will be played under floodlights with kick-off at 4:30pm.
Although there has been a group game under lights in Tura, this is the first time that a knockout match will be played in such conditions in the MSL, which should enliven the atmosphere further. Tickets will be on sale at the venue priced at Rs 50 for general admission and Rs 100 for the VIP gallery, the Meghalaya Football Association, which organises the tournament in collaboration with the Government of Meghalaya, has informed.
Mawlai have been in an MSL semifinal before but were knocked out by an inspired Khliehmawlieh in 2023. However, this time they were able to defeat Khliehmawlieh in the quarterfinal round and will aim to get past Ladthadlaboh.
Ladthadlaboh, however, will not make it easy for Mawlai as the West Jaintia Hills-based team will look to go all the way. They reached the semis by defeating Sutnga 5-2 in the quarters and will hope that plenty of their fans will travel to Shillong for this important match.
The second semifinal will then take place on Tuesday at 1:30pm between Shillong Lajong and Rymbai Shkenshynriah in Wahiajer.
Lajong defeated 2023 MSL champions Rangdajied United 3-1 in the first quarterfinal, while R Shkenshynriah beat Chipakkore 2-0 in Tura. Among the last four teams to remain standing, Lajong are the only ones who have won the MSL title before, back in 2019.
