SHILLONG, JUL 24: The State-Level Subroto Mukherjee Cup Football Tournament 2026 built to a crescendo on Thursday with gripping semi-final action in the Under-15 Boys, Under-17 Boys and Under-17 Girls categories at SSA Stadium and MFA Turf, Polo.
Organized by the Directorate of Sports & Youth Affairs, the tournament is part of the State Government’s push to identify and nurture grassroots talent under the leadership of Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, with the aim of preparing Meghalaya’s youth to compete at national and international levels.At MFA Turf, Polo, the Under-15 Boys semi-finals produced contrasting results.
North Liberty Higher Secondary School from West Jaintia Hills booked their place in the final with a composed 2-0 win over Little Star Higher Secondary School of Eastern West Khasi Hills.
Goals from Malcolm Nongbsap in the 19th minute and Man-i-khan Kyndiah in the 35th minute were enough to see them through.
The other semi-final between Umpohliew Jingtip Higher Secondary School of East Khasi Hills and Step by Step Secondary School of East Jaintia Hills remained goalless through regulation time.
The deadlock was finally broken in a tense penalty shootout, with Umpohliew Jingtip prevailing 3-2 to set up a final clash with North Liberty.The Under-17 Boys category saw dominant performances.
Wapung Higher Secondary School from East Jaintia Hills cruised past Dapboklang Giri Memorial Secondary School of West Khasi Hills 5-0. Kamwamutmi Dkhar and Jeffarson Phawa both scored twice, in the 20th and 69th minutes and 55th and 61st minutes respectively, while Donbor Dkhar added a 28th-minute strike.
O.M. Roy Memorial Higher Secondary School of East Khasi Hills delivered the biggest margin of the day, routing Bajengdoba Higher Secondary School from North Garo Hills 7-0.
Lamshai Jana starred with a hat-trick, scoring in the 7th, 21st and 58th minutes. Ebenezer Sun netted a brace in the 9th and 23rd minutes, with late goals from Jonathan Kharbani and Deiwamut Syiem in the 70th and 72nd minutes completing the tally.
At SSA Stadium, Polo, the Under-17 Girls semi-finals also saw one-sided contests. North Liberty Higher Secondary School continued their strong run with a 5-0 victory over Lurmangkara Secondary School of West Khasi Hills.
Receive Ksoo opened the scoring in the 3rd minute, followed by strikes from Saphika Pyrtuh, Baiarbha Nongrum, Peacefully Pohphlet and Elizabeth Thanglai.
Little Star Higher Secondary School from Eastern West Khasi Hills earned their final berth with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Nongjri Presbyterian Secondary School of Ri-Bhoi.
Genefa Myrthong broke the deadlock in the 45th minute and Bansara Rynsiang sealed it in the 64th.
With the semi-finals concluded, the tournament now heads for its grand finale on July 25. North Liberty will face Umpohliew Jingtip in the Under-15 Boys final, while Wapung will take on O.M. Roy Memorial for the Under-17 Boys title.
In the Under-17 Girls final, North Liberty will meet Little Star in what promises to be another closely watched encounter.
