Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Shillong: Meghalaya crashed out of the Junior Boys National Football Championship 2026-27 on September 5. A 3-0 loss to Mizoram in Bengaluru ended their pursuit of the Dr BC Roy Trophy. Both teams entered the match with six points, but Mizoram held a superior goal difference to secure the semi-final spot.
Coach Playerson Jitem Syiemlieh kept his starting lineup intact. Meghalaya needed a win to advance. Instead, Mizoram grabbed the lead in the 25th minute. Forward C Lalhmingropuia fired a long-range shot that slipped through goalkeeper Alvin Kharbani’s hands. Mizoram took control.
Syiemlieh swapped Aiborlang Mulieh and Pyrkhatlang Marbaniang for Mangpaka Nongkynrih and Skhemlang Marthong at the break. The shift failed to stop Mizoram. In the 56th minute, Lalhmingropuia sent a cross from the left that curled over Kharbani and dropped into the net. Malsawmtluanga scored from inside the box during stoppage time to finish the rout.
Meghalaya exits at the same stage as last year. The squad’s performance improved since 2025-26, when they suffered three straight losses. The roster included Shanborlang Khongjee, Franky Kharkrang, Samuel Malieh, Wallambok Thongni, Andrew Kharsati, Aibannangkhraw Kharumnuid, Adriel B Nongbet, and Habankhlur Lyngdoh Mawnai. Additional substitutions included Sannaky Nongsiej, Mallenga N Sangma, and Kishan Wahlang. The coach noted the team’s development, stating, "Their campaign represented an improvement on 2025-26, when they were eliminated after three consecutive defeats."
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