Shillong: Meghalaya will take on defending champions Services in the quarterfinals of the Senior Men’s National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy 2024-25 today.
The high-stakes match is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff at the Deccan Arena in Hyderabad, wrapping up the quarterfinal stage of the tournament.
Despite a slow start in Group B, Meghalaya displayed resilience by bouncing back to finish second behind Kerala. After managing just one point from their first two games, the team registered two crucial victories to advance to the knockout stage.
Their defensive line stood out, securing three consecutive clean sheets, including a goalless draw against Odisha, which allowed Coach Hering Shangpliang to experiment with his squad.
Services, a seven-time Santosh Trophy champion, had an inconsistent run, finishing third in Group A behind West Bengal and Manipur.
While they secured three wins, losses to West Bengal and Manipur underlined vulnerabilities. However, their rich history and experience in high-pressure matches make them a formidable opponent.
For Meghalaya, maintaining defensive solidity while enhancing their attacking efficiency will be key. On the other hand, Services will aim to leverage their past dominance, having defeated Meghalaya in the group stages of the last two editions of the tournament.
With a semifinal berth at stake, both teams are expected to deliver an intense battle. Meghalaya will look to make history, while Services will fight to keep their title defense alive.