Shillong, May 12: Langsning FC sealed the final berth in the Top 8 of the 5th Meghalaya State League with a commanding 5-0 victory over Lumphyrnai Sohphoh FC at the SSA Stadium on Monday night.
Samuel Phawa starred for Langsning with a first-half hat-trick, finding the net in the 25th, 45th and 45+1 minutes after MSL 5 leading scorer Nelson Rymbai opened the scoring as early as the fourth minute. Nelson’s strike also took his tally to 15 goals in the tournament so far. Denelson Pyngrope added another in the 10th minute to complete the rout.
Despite the one-sided scoreline, Lumphyrnai Sohphoh produced a spirited display and repeatedly tested Langsning goalkeeper Rajat Paul Lyngdoh in front of a vocal contingent of travelling supporters.
The fixture was originally scheduled to be played in Mairang on Sunday, but heavy rain and poor ground conditions forced organisers to shift the match to Shillong on Monday. Langsning entered the knockout clash as Group F toppers, while Lumphyrnai Sohphoh had qualified as runners-up from Group E.
With Langsning completing the Top 8 lineup, the quarterfinal round-robin groups for the Meghalaya State League have now been finalised.
Group A has been labelled the “group of death,” featuring former and current champions Nongkseh SSCC, Mawlai SC, Shillong Lajong FC and Rangdajied United FC.
Group B consists of Nangkiew Irat SC, Rymbai Shkenshynriah SC, Langsning FC and Maram FC.
Each team will play home-and-away style fixtures within their respective groups, with the top two sides advancing to the semifinals. All Super 8 matches will be held in Shillong.
This is the first time the Meghalaya State League is adopting the round-robin quarterfinal format, a move expected to give supporters more opportunities to watch their favourite teams live.
The Super 8 stage begins on Tuesday at the SSA Stadium with two Group A clashes. Nongkseh SSCC will take on Mawlai SC at 2pm before traditional rivals Shillong Lajong FC and Rangdajied United FC meet in a highly anticipated evening showdown at 6pm.
