Meghalaya: Meghalaya qualified for the quarter-finals of the senior men's national football championship for Santosh Trophy 2024-25 by defeating Goa 1-0 in a Group B encounter in Hyderabad today. Despite having plenty of chances in open play, it was a penalty kick in the 89th minute that made all the difference. The defender pulled Daibormem Tongpar's shirt and the referee pointed to the spot. Damanbhalang Chine then converted the penalty and made an excellent spot kick by sending the ball into the net.
Schubert Perera should have equalized for Goa in stoppage time, but he fired a superb cross volley from point-blank range. Meghalaya attacked throughout the match and Goa were forced to play defensively. However, Meghalaya's shots were not good enough to challenge even Goa goalkeeper Sanij Bugde.
Meghalaya coach Haring Shangpliang made two changes to the team that started against Delhi, with Phulmoon Mukhim returning from injury along with Owanjuh Pajuh, while Arlangki Nongsiage and Kharavkupar Jana remained on the bench for the match. Khrakooper came on as a substitute in the first half and along with Owanijuh and Donald Diengdoh, Meghalaya's forward line was strong, but the team could not find success against a struggling Goa team in the final round of the Santosh Trophy.
Last season's runners-up Goa were bottom of Group B before beating Tamil Nadu 1-0 on Thursday, the same day Meghalaya recorded its first win with a 2-0 win over Delhi. Nevertheless, Damanbhalang's penalty gave Meghalaya the points it needed. In today's first match, Odisha played a 1-1 draw with Tamil Nadu. There is a match between Delhi and Kerala this evening.
Meghalaya's win moves them to second place on the points table (though Delhi could snatch that spot from them tonight) and they have done enough to make it into the top 4, no matter how the remaining matches pan out. As of now, Kerala has 9 points, Meghalaya has 7, Delhi has 6, Odisha has 4, Goa has 3 and Tamil Nadu has 2 points. Meghalaya will play its last group match against Odisha on Christmas Eve (December 24) at 9 am.
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