Shillong, Sept 25: Meghalaya’s campaign in the Dr Talimeren Ao National Football Championship (NFC) for Junior Girls (Tier 2) 2026-27 came to an end with a 6-0 defeat against the Sports Authority of India (SAI) in the first semifinal at Narainpur, Chhattisgarh, on Friday.
Coached by Haphilabet Kharkongor, Meghalaya had reached the semifinals after an impressive group-stage campaign. They opened with an 8-0 win over Jammu and Kashmir before edging past Punjab 2-1 to finish top of Group C. Nagaland’s withdrawal before the competition left Meghalaya with two group-stage matches.
SAI entered the semifinals with an equally strong record, having won all four of their Group A matches. They defeated Chandigarh 11-0, Sikkim 5-1, Tripura 6-0 and Uttarakhand 5-2. The SAI squad largely comprises players from Assam and other states of the Northeast.
Haphilabet made three changes to Meghalaya’s starting XI for the semifinal, bringing in Laiahunlang Nongrang, Bansara Rynshiang and Saphidabet Kharmalki in place of Ripaia Phawa, Bandabetshisha Nongrum and Jenisha Rani.
On a rain-soaked morning, SAI broke the deadlock shortly before half-time when Yaiphabi Thokchom found the net in the 43rd minute.
SAI took control after the interval, with Sayani Chakraborty completing her hat-trick with goals in the 57th, 70th and 72nd minutes. Substitute Anjaly Lhouvum added another in the 64th minute, just three minutes after coming on.
Yaiphabi completed the scoring with her second goal of the match in the 84th minute as SAI secured a place in the final.
Despite the heavy semifinal defeat, Meghalaya’s run to the last four marks a strong campaign in the Tier 2 national championship, following their convincing group-stage victories over Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.
