Shillong, Sep 20: It was grit, heart and one moment of brilliance. Meghalaya’s junior girls fought back from a goal down to stun Punjab 2-1 and storm into the semifinals of the Dr Talimeren Ao National Football Championship for Junior Girls (Tier 2) 2026-27 in Narainpur, Chhattisgarh.
The win — their second in as many games — gives Meghalaya a perfect 6 points from Group C and confirms top spot after Group C was reduced to three teams following Nagaland’s withdrawal.
Coach Haphilabet Kharkongor rung in two changes from the side that hammered Jammu & Kashmir 8-0, handing starts to Venecle Kharmusulman and Deiphiwansara Lyngkhoi in place of Saralang Lapang and Bansara Rynshiang.
It began badly for Meghalaya. Under early pressure, goalkeeper Dawansaphi Snaitang was beaten in the 10th minute by Punjab’s Japleen Kaur, whose looping free-kick deceived everyone and sailed over into the net.
Punjab held on to that slender lead for 50 minutes, defending deep and frustrating Meghalaya. The breakthrough finally came in the 61st minute — and from a familiar route. Peacefully Pohplet curled in a dangerous free-kick, the Punjab keeper blocked it, but in the scramble for the rebound, Ripaia Phawa pounced and smashed home the equaliser.
With the game heading for a draw, Peacefully saved the best for last. In the third minute of stoppage time, from well outside the box, she unleashed a stunning direct free-kick. Punjab keeper Suhana got a hand to it, but the power and curl took it over the line — a winner worthy of winning any match.
The result means Meghalaya are through to the last four without having to wait for Punjab’s final group game against J&K on September 22. They. will now face the winners of Group A in semifinal on September 25
