Shillong, May 26: Rymbai Shkenshynriah SC joined Langsning FC from Group B in the semifinals of the 5th Meghalaya State League following the conclusion of the final quarterfinal league stage matches at the SSA Stadium here on Tuesday.
Group A winners Nongkseh SSCC and runners-up Shillong Lajong FC had already secured qualification for the last four. The semifinals will be played on May 29 and 30, while the final of the tournament — organised by the Meghalaya Football Association with support from the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs — is scheduled for June 4.
Rymbai Shkenshynriah required only a draw to qualify for their second consecutive MSL semifinal but produced an emphatic 5-2 victory over Nangkiew Irat SC. All seven goals came in the second half, with Iaishah Bareh (56’), Hesmiki Rymbai (69’, 90+3’) , Niponghi Sumer (77’) and Harita Suchen (90+4’) scoring for the East Jaintia Hills side. Brolington Warlarpih (58’) and Justerwell Tham (81’) found the net for Nangkiew Irat.
Despite early nerves, Shkenshynriah looked determined to strike first and put pressure on their opponents. However, both teams went into the break goalless before the contest burst into life after halftime.
Iaishah opened the scoring after cleverly lifting the ball past goalkeeper Emerald Dan and racing through to finish. Nangkiew equalised almost immediately when a Wallamsuk Nongkhlaw attempt deflected off teammate Brolington Warlarpih into the net.
Hesmiki restored Shkenshynriah’s lead with a powerful finish into the roof of the net before Niponghi extended the advantage with a superb free-kick from the edge of the box. Justerwell reduced the deficit for Nangkiew with less than 10 minutes remaining, keeping hopes alive briefly, but defensive lapses allowed Shkenshynriah to score twice in stoppage time to seal a commanding victory.
The win saw Rymbai Shkenshynriah finish second in Group B with 12 points, while Nangkiew Irat ended third with nine points.
In the earlier match, Langsning FC confirmed top spot in the group with a comfortable 2-0 win over bottom-placed Maram FC. Donlad Diengdoh scored in the 41st minute before Nelson Rymbai added a second shortly after halftime in the 48th minute.
Langsning progressed to the semifinals with five wins and one defeat, accumulating 15 points — the highest tally among all teams in the two quarterfinal groups. Although Maram FC ended their campaign with six defeats, participation in the statewide competition is expected to provide valuable experience ahead of their Tura Super Division title defence.
Both semifinals will kick off at 6 pm at the SSA Stadium. Nongkseh SSCC will face Rymbai Shkenshynriah SC on May 29, while Langsning FC will take on Shillong Lajong FC on May 30.
