Shillong, May 9: The last of the 104 group matches of the 5th Meghalaya State League was held today, with Balmanduri FC ending their run in the tournament with a 1-0 win against Janepih YSCA in Group G at Williamnagar.
Jurisbirth Marak scored the only goal of the game in the 24th minute. Janepih were already confirmed in first place before today and rested certain key players. Balmanduri also could not improve their fourth place but ended their campaign on a high note.
Attention will now turn to the pre-quarterfinals where the best 16 teams out of the 33 that began MSL 5 will battle it out in a straight knockout round. The winners will then progress to the Round of 8, which will feature two groups of four teams in a second round robin stage.
This edition of the MSL is bigger than any that has come before it. Partly this is to give players maximum game time as part of broader efforts to improve standards. It also features more matches per team in order to meet All India Football Federation (AIFF) requirements. In this vein, the Meghalaya Football Association, with full support of the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, has further professionalised the running of the league, with the AIFF’s Competition Management System and Centralised Registration System being employed.
The Round of 16 matches will all be played on Monday. In six of the seven venues the matches will kick off at 2pm. But at Shillong’s SSA Stadium, which will host a double-header, matches will be held at 1pm and 5:30pm.
Monday’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
