Shillong, Jan 29: Meghalaya suffered their first defeat of the final round of the National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy 2025-26 with a 3-0 loss to Group B leaders Kerala in Silapathar, Assam, today.
Arjun V (36′), Muhammed Riyas Pt (71′) and Muhammad Ajsal (85′) were the scorers for Kerala.
Defeat leaves Meghalaya on 5 points, still in third place but with their last group game in two days’ time against second-placed Railways becoming vitally important.
Meghalaya coach Khlain Pyrkhat Syiemlieh made three changes to his starting line-up – Wanboklang Lyngkhoi, Marbiangki Suchiang and Fairming Suting came in and Mebanaibok Kharbudnah, Dibormi Kassar and Dawanchwa C Challam were out, the last for a red card in the previous game.
That last match saw Meghalaya hold Services to a draw. Before that, Meghalaya drew with Punjab on 24 January and beat Odisha in their opener on 22 January.
Arjun’s opening goal was the result of a free-kick, which he delivered into the box. The ball beat everyone, however, and directly went into the net. In the second half Kerala, last year’s runners-up, got a cushion after Riyas volleyed a cross into the net and the game was put out of Meghalaya’s reach a few minutes from the final whistle when Ajsal thrust the ball in from close range.
Meghalaya have one group game to go, against Railways, on 31 January. With the top four progressing to the quarterfinals, Meghalaya are still very much in contention but also have to keep an eye out for Punjab and Services. Punjab will face bottom side Odisha that same day, while Services are set to take on Kerala, who have already bagged first place and who may thus choose not to field their strongest team.
