Shillong, May 29: Nongkseh SSCC produced a powerful all-round performance under the lights at the SSA Stadium to defeat a spirited Rymbai Shkenshynriah SC 3-0 in the first semifinal on Friday evening and storm into the final of the 5th Meghalaya State League (MSL 5).
Roared on by a passionate home crowd, Nongkseh weathered an intense challenge from the East Jaintia Hills side before striking decisively through Arlangky Nongsiej (39’), Chesterpaul Lyngdoh (75’) and skipper Hardy Cliff Nongbri (86’) to seal their place in the final.
The scoreline, however, told only part of the story.
For long periods, Shkenshynriah matched Nongkseh stride for stride with their fast-paced attacking football and relentless energy, thrilling the large crowd that turned up for what turned into one of the most entertaining matches of the season. Travelling supporters from East Jaintia Hills added to the electric atmosphere as the semifinal showcased the growing intensity and quality that the Meghalaya State League was envisioned to promote when it was launched by the Meghalaya Football Association with support from the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs in 2017.
After a tense opening spell, Nongkseh finally found the breakthrough six minutes before halftime. A dangerous corner from Hardy was punched away by Shkenshynriah goalkeeper Livingstar Swer, but the Nongkseh captain quickly regained possession and floated another delivery into the box. The Shkenshynriah defence failed to clear decisively, allowing Arlangky to pounce from close range and send the stadium into celebration.
Shkenshynriah responded strongly after the restart and nearly forced an equaliser within minutes. A poor back pass from Banpynkhrawnam Nongkhlaw almost gifted them a golden opportunity, but Nongkseh goalkeeper Guidle Syiemlieh rushed out bravely to avert the danger in a heavy collision with an opposition attacker. Although the custodian tried to continue, he was eventually forced off and replaced by Daraphun Tlang.
The East Jaintia Hills outfit continued to push forward with urgency, sensing that the contest was still within reach. But Nongkseh gradually tightened their grip on the game and began creating clearer chances. Khrawkupar Jana and Shano Tariang both came close before Chesterpaul finally doubled the lead in the 75th minute, calmly finishing from an Aibiangmame Nongneng cross.
That goal shifted the momentum firmly in Nongkseh’s favour and the unbeaten side never looked back. Hardy then capped off a superb performance with a stunning right-footed strike from outside the box in the 86th minute to put the result beyond doubt and spark wild celebrations among the Nongkseh supporters. Remarkably, it is Nongkseh’s debut season in the Meghalaya State League, and they have already booked a place in the title clash.
Hardy’s all-round display earned him the ‘Hello Meghalaya Man of the Match’ award along with a cheque of Rs 10,000 and a memento presented by Director of NEIGRIHMS, Dr Nalin Mehta.
Nongkseh will now await the winner of the second semifinal between Langsning FC and Shillong Lajong FC, which will be played at the SSA Stadium on Saturday at 6pm.
Langsning head into the clash after topping Group B in the quarterfinal stage with five wins from six matches. Despite their rich footballing history, they have reached the MSL semifinals only once before, in the inaugural 2017 edition where they lost to Tynrongmawsaw SC.
Shillong Lajong, meanwhile, remain one of the strongest contenders left in the competition. The former champions progressed steadily through the tournament, losing to only Nongkseh in the quarterfinal group, and are the only previous title winners still in the race, having lifted the trophy in 2019 before finishing runners-up in MSL 4 last year.
