Shillong, Sept 5: It was win or go home. Meghalaya went home.
Meghalaya’s campaign in the Junior Boys National Football Championship 2026-27 (Tier 1) for Dr BC Roy Trophy ended in heartbreak today after a 3-0 defeat to arch-rivals Mizoram in the final Group C match in Bengaluru.
Both sides entered the decider on 6 points after beating Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. But Mizoram had the goal-difference advantage (+9 vs +4), which meant Meghalaya needed nothing less than a victory to top the group and enter the semifinals.
Coach Playerson Jitem Syiemlieh showed faith in his in-form XI – the same lineup that delivered 2-1 and 3-0 wins.
The boys attacked, but fate had other plans.
In the 25th minute, Mizoram’s C Lalhmingropuia hit a powerful long-ranger that skidded off the wet turf and slipped through keeper Alvin Kharbani’s hands – a rare error from the Meghalaya No.1.
Chasing the game, Syiemlieh made a double change at half-time, throwing on Mangpaka Nongkynrih and Skhemlang Marthong for Aiborlang Mulieh and Pyrkhatlang Marbaniang.
Again, luck went against Meghalaya. In the 56th minute, Lalhmingropuia’s cross from the left flank curled all the way in, looping over Alvin straight into the net.
Malsawmtluanga rubbed salt in the 91st minute, tapping in from a corner to make it 3-0.
It is group-stage exit two years in a row, but this time with heads held high – last year it was three defeats, this year two wins and a fight.
