Wahiajer, Oct 27: Thousands of eager football fans poured into the Wahiajer Multi Sports Complex Stadium to witness Shillong Lajong deliver an absolute master class to defeat 7 Wasa United 9-0 in the opening match of the 4th Meghalaya State League 2024 here on Saturday.

Deibormame Tongper (36’, 45’+2, 56’) produced a hat-trick but there were also plenty of goals from his team mates – Yohaan Benjamin (16’), Iohborlang L Lyngkhoi (18’P), Mebannangkiew Thabah (48’, 50’), Babysunday Marngar (90’+2) and Emanbha Marbaniang (90’+4) all got on the scoresheet too.

These two sides are former MSL champions, with 7 Wasa winning the inaugural title in January 2018 and Lajong succeeding them in December 2019 but the two sides had never met in the tournament until Saturday.

In keeping with one of its stated purposes, the MSL 2024 is heading to new venues, with Wahiajer being one and the local organising committee pulled off the opener superbly with support of the Dorbar Shnong.

The tournament is being organised by the Meghalaya Football Association and fully supported by the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Meghalaya.

The chief guest on the opening day was the Honourable Deputy Chief Minister Shri Sniawbhalang Dhar. In his opening remarks he thanked the MFA for bringing the opening match to the brand new stadium at Wahiajer and for developing football across the state.

“Meghalaya now has numerous artificial turfs, modern athletics tracks and other sports facilities,” Dhar said. “This area has always been a football factory and this should continue. Football is not just an activity for keeping fit but a career option and big industry today.”

In his introductory speech, MFA President Shri Hamletson Dohling thanked the state government for its continued support, without which the tournament could not take place.

“The MFA is earnestly working to promote football throughout the state for the benefit of the youth,” he said while referring to the new Meghalaya Youth League and the inclusion of more district sports associations.

“We want Meghalaya to produce more notable players and become a football powerhouse,” he added.

Turning to the match, Lajong stunned their opponents with fleet-footed moves forward that caused a certain amount of disarray in the defence, with as many as four goals in the first half and another five in the second.

7 Wasa were certainly the crowd favourites, only a little distance from their base in Jowai but the fans were awed by the display of top quality football by Lajong.

Monday will see matches take place in five groups. All the matches will begin at 2pm.

Group A (Tura): Chipakkore vs Atong Matgrik

Group B (Mawkyrwat): Mawten vs Khliehmawlieh

Group C (Tyrsad): no matches scheduled

Group D (Khliehriat): Rymbai Skhenshynriah vs Rangdajied United

Group E (Wahiajer): Seinbhalang Skhentalang vs Mawtari Myrdon

Group F (Shillong): Mawlai vs Seng Samla Mawmluh