Amritsar: Meghalaya’s campaign in the Junior Boys National Football Championship 2025 (Tier 1) for the Dr BC Roy Trophy kicked off on a sombre note today, as they succumbed to a heavy 5-1 defeat against a dominant Kerala side in their Group B opener. The match, played in Amritsar, saw a spirited initial response from Meghalaya, but ultimately, Kerala’s prowess proved overwhelming in the second half.
Kerala initiated the scoring early with Muhammed Mijuwad finding the net in the 10th minute, setting the tone for a high-intensity encounter. However, Meghalaya displayed commendable resilience, with Baniar Kharsahnoh netting an equaliser just eight minutes later in the 18th minute, bringing the score to a promising 1-1. The teams went into the halftime break with the scores level, hinting at a closely contested battle.
The second half, however, painted a starkly different picture. Kerala emerged from the break with renewed vigour and a clinical edge, dismantling Meghalaya’s defence with a flurry of goals. Jithu B broke the deadlock in the 48th minute, followed by a brace from Mohammed Sinan P in the 64th and 76th minutes. Muhammed Hayan TP then sealed Kerala’s dominant performance with their fifth goal in the 84th minute, leaving Meghalaya with a significant deficit.
This opening defeat serves as a crucial learning experience for the Meghalaya squad. They will need to swiftly analyse their performance and address the defensive frailties exposed in the second half. The road ahead doesn’t get any easier, as they are slated to face defending champions West Bengal in their next fixture on Wednesday. West Bengal, having secured a 2-1 victory against Tamil Nadu on July 21, will undoubtedly present another formidable challenge for the young Meghalaya team.
Read More: Manipur: A Glimmer of Hope as Displaced Families Begin Returning Home