Shillong, June 5: Debutants Mawlai will play Khliehmawlieh Youth Club, while 2019 runners-up Rangdajied United are set to face defending champions Shillong Lajong in the semi-finals of the Meghalaya State League 2023, the draw for which was conducted on Monday evening.
The semis will be conducted on a home-and-away basis, starting on June 10, with the second leg on June 13. The grand finale will be held at First Ground, Polo, in Shillong on June 17.
The draw was conducted with four special guests in the form of star footballers to have emerged from Meghalaya – Redeem Tlang, Aiban Dohling and Halen Nongtdu – and FIFA Assistant Referee Ri-iohlang Dhar. It was overseen by MSL Tournament Director Wanshanbor Kharkrang and representatives of all four teams.
This is the first season in which Mawlai have participated in the MSL and they have put on an excellent performance so far, winning all five matches in Group A. Rangdajied topped Group B and will face off against old rivals Lajong (who have finished first in Group C though they still have a game to go on Tuesday) in what is a double-headed replay of the MSL 2019 final in Khliehriat, which Lajong won on penalties.
Khliehmawlieh are the only non-Shillong club in the last-four and they will hope to create a big upset in the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, the last match in Group D and penultimate fixture in Group C took place on Monday, with Chipakkore storming to a 9-2 victory over Wa’sa FC and Mawten beating Lumdiengngan 3-0, respectively.
At the Chandmari Ground in Tura, Chipakkore went behind in the eighth minute but stormed back thanks to four goals from Balkan Marak (18′, 47′, 63′, 65′), two each from Harlee K Marak (13′, 84′) and Ranggira R Marak (80′, 90′) and one by Johnfield A Sangma (47′). Wa’sa scored via Gilseng Momin (8′) and Threesbirth Momin (62′).
Monday’s match was for third place and by winning Chipakkore was able to unseat Wa’sa, who dropped to fourth.
Over at the MDSA Ground in Mawkyrwat, Mawten scored through Reinjoywell Wasrde (31′), Lastbornson Marwein (60′) and Iaidborlang Thongni (90’+1). Victory took Mawten to third, above Riangdo, who will play their last fixture against Lajong on Tuesday.
Tuesday’s fixtures:
Group A, Shillong – Group stage concluded
Group B, Jowai – Group stage concluded
Group C, Mawkyrwat – Shillong Lajong vs Riangdo, 3pm
Group D, Tura – Group stage concluded
