Shillong, July 21: Matches in the inaugural edition of the Meghalaya Youth League 2024 got off to a successful start at venues across the state on Saturday. Zone B, covering Jaintia Hills, saw some of the closest action and contrasting results between the U-14 and U-16 teams.
In the U-14 category, Saipung Block Sports Association won 2-1 over East Jaintia District Football Association but the result, and the scoreline, were reversed in the U-16 division, with East Jaintia 2-1 victors over Saipung.
In the same zone, Amlarem Block Sports Association won both the U-14 and U-16 matches against Laskein Block Sports Association 4-1 and 1-0 respectively. Emon Mylliem scored a hat-trick in the U-14 contest for Amlarem.
Zone A, covering Garo Hills, just had the one match, in the U-14 category, and this saw Tura District Football Association romping home to a 13-0 victory over Baghmara District Football Association, with hat-tricks for Watching K Marak, Chegado Ch Marak and Adoweanga R Marak.
In Shillong, Zone C began with Shillong Sports Association hosting Ri-Bhoi District Sports Association and the visitors were victorious in both age groups, winning the U-14 match 3-0 and the U-16 game 3-2.
Although the scoreline suggests that Ri-Bhoi ran away with the U-14 game, Shillong had almost as many scoring opportunities but the difference between the two teams is that Ri-Bhoi grasped their chances and converted them.
Zone C was also meant to have an U-16 match in Jirang between Western Ri-Bhoi Sports Association and Riwar Mihngi Football Association but this game was washed out due to very heavy rain and both sides were awarded 1 point each.
Zone D is the biggest with six teams and it featured three matches on the opening day, with big wins for Nongstoin District Sports Association, Mawkyrwat District Sports Association and Pyndengumiong District Sports Association in the U-14 age group.
Nongstoin were 7-0 victors over Eastern Border Sports Association, while Mawkyrwat defeated Tyrsad Area Sports Association 3-0 and Pyndengumiong won 5-0 over Mawshynrut Sports Association.
In the U-16 event, Nongstoin came from a goal down to beat Eastern Border 6-1, while Mawkyrwat pipped Tyrsad 1-0. A very even contest between Pyndengumiong and Mawshynrut at Dommawlum Playground finished all-square at 3-3.
A hugely exciting and fun day of youth football ended with 62 goals scored by 50 different players, setting a high benchmark for the matches to come. The next round will be played on 27 July.
U-14 results for 20 July:
Zone A – Tura District Football Association 13 – 0 Baghmara District Football Association; 1pm; Chandmari Artificial Turf
Zone B – East Jaintia District Football Association 1 – 2 Saipung Block Sports Association; 1pm; EJDSA Artificial Playground
Zone B – Laskein Block Sports Association 1 – 4 Amlarem Block Sports Association; 1pm; Pamsna Mini Stadium
Zone C – Shillong Sports Association 0 – 3 Ri-Bhoi District Sports Association; 11am; SSA Stadium
Zone D – Nongstoin District Sports Association 7 – 0 Eastern Border Sport Association; 1pm; NDSA Playground
Zone D – Mawkyrwat District Sports Association 3 – 0 Tyrsad Area Sports Association; 1pm; MDSA Playground
Zone D – Pyndengumiong District Sports Association 5 – 0 Mawshynrut Sports Association; 1pm; Dommawlum Playground
U-16 results for 20 July:
Zone A – no match scheduled
Zone B – East Jaintia District Football Association 2 – 1 Saipung Block Sports Association; 3pm; EJDSA Artificial Playground
Zone B – Laskein Block Sports Association 0 – 1 Amlarem Block Sports Association; 3pm; Pamsna Mini Stadium
Zone C – Shillong Sports Association 2 – 3 Ri-Bhoi District Sports Association; 1pm; SSA Stadium
Zone C – Western Ri-Bhoi Sports Association 0 – 0 (washed out; teams shared 1 point each) Riwar Mihngi Football Association; 3pm; Jirang Govt Higher Sec School Playground
Zone D – Nongstoin District Sports Association 6 – 1 Eastern Border Sport Association; 3pm; NDSA Playground
Zone D – Mawkyrwat District Sports Association 1 – 0 Tyrsad Area Sports Association; 3pm; MDSA Playground
Zone D – Pyndengumiong District Sports Association 3 – 3 Mawshynrut Sports Association; 3pm; Dommawlum Playground
