NE Games: Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur & Mizoram qualify for men’s football semis

In the morning match, Meghalaya trounced Arunachal Pradesh 6-0 in Group 2 at the MFA Turf, Third Ground, Polo, here on Wednesday.

Three goals were picked off by Meghalaya on either side of half time through Everbrightson Mylliempdah (8’), Figo Syndai (39’, 62’) and Damonlang Pathaw (41’). Dajiedlang Wanshnong (57’) and Nelson Rymbai (79’).

Arunachal, who also lost their opening fixture, had a couple of good chances early in the second half but the hosts were able to extend their advantage after Sangti Janai Shianglong was brought down in the box.

Wanshnong stepped up to take the penalty but his effort was blocked by the Arunachal goalkeeper. However, the ball still remained in play and Wanshnong was able to get to the ball before the keeper and score. Syndai then scored his second with a fine left boot after some nice one-touch passing from his team mates before Rymbai finished things off with a strong shot that clipped the woodwork before going into the net.

Mizoram, meanwhile, played their opening match in Group 1 today against Assam and also claimed a 6-0 victory, with Joseph Lalvenhima (18’P, 25’, 37’) bagging a hat-trick in the first half itself before adding a fourth in the 62nd minute. The other two goals were scored by K Lalrosanga (47’) and Rohlupuia (51’).

Assam had lost their first match on Monday to Manipur and have thus been knocked out. As Group 1 has just three teams, Mizoram and Manipur have bagged the two semifinal spots from this group, though who will be first and second will be decided when these two sides play each other on Friday.

In the last match of the day, Nagaland booked their spot in the last-four with a 4-0 win over Sikkim. Yhoto Lohe (19′) and Thulunso (35′) scored in the first half, while Hivika (55′) and Pursunep (88′) added two more in the second.

Having lost to Meghalaya 6-1 on Monday, Sikkim find themselves, along with Arunachal, unable to qualify for the semis. However, these two will play for third place in Group 2 on Friday, while Meghalaya will vie with Mizoram for top spot.

In the U-17 women’s division on Thursday, Arunachal Pradesh will take on Mizoram in Group 2 at 11am, followed by Sikkim versus Manipur in Group 1 at 3:30pm.