Shillong, April 17: The Meghalaya Football Team is getting ready to kick off their first match on Monday in the senior men’s National Football Championship for the final round of the Santosh Trophy held in Kerala.

The Meghalayan side on Monday will take on Rajasthan in their opening match in Malappuram football ground at 4pm. The 20-member squad is led by coach Bobby Lyngdoh Nongbet and will be captained by Hardy Cliff Nongbri.

Speaking to Hub News via a telephonic conversation, Hardy said the team is well prepared for the tournament as they have been playing series of friendly matches both in the state and in Assam.

“Our main concerns is the weather, this will be a little disadvantage on our side and we are a little nervous as we have been drawn in the group of death along with Kerela who has won the Trophy several times and West Bengal who has won 32 times….but we are a young Meghalayan side and we are not ready to go down easily”, said the Captain, Hardy Cliff.

“We might have been drawn with the ‘Giants’ but we will definitely put up a strong fight. Yes, we miss some of our senior players, the experience ones, but if we go by the book of tactics of our well experienced coach Bobby, we will definitely come out through, if not as the group leaders but will definitely qualify for the knockout stages”, added Hardy.

Hardy also said that the State Government has been supporting them both morally and financially. The sports minister, Banteidor Lyngdoh has also been interacting with them from time to time, boosting their confidence.

Meghalaya has been drawn with three ex-champions (West Bengal, Kerala and Punjab) and Rajasthan in Group A. The matches will take place in two grounds of Kerala’s Malappuram district.

In the second match, Meghalaya will face the host, Kerala on April 18, the third match is scheduled on April 20 and the final group stage match will be against a strong Punjab side on April 24.

The complete list of the 20-Men Squad are as follows: 

Henry Ford Nongneng, Maxderidoff Wahlang, Hardy Cliff Nongbri, Dawanplielad Myrchiang, Wilbert Donboklang Marbaniang, Saveme Tariang, Santi Janai Shianglong, Figo Syndai, Sambor Oneel Kharsahnoh, Stephanson Pale, Aibiangmame Nongneng, Dawanchwa Carlos Challam, Shano Tariang, Raikutshisha Buam, Eveningstar Bareh, Atlanson Kharmaw, Frolicson Dkhar, Manbhakupar Iawphniaw, Kynsaibor Lhuid and Gladdy Nelson Kharbuli.