Shillong, January 31: Any match between Mawlai and Shillong Lajong is sure to be one of intense action and drama, unpredictable and exciting and the 4th Meghalaya State League 2024 final takes this rivalry between two of Meghalaya’s greatest clubs to a whole new level.
The title match will be played on Saturday at the Wahiajer Multipurpose Sports Complex, with kick-off scheduled for 1:00pm.
The tournament thus returns to where it began this season, when Lajong took on the inaugural edition’s champions Niaw Wasa United back in October. Bringing together the winning teams from the leagues of the district associations affiliated to the Meghalaya Football Association, 24 clubs began their journey and now only the best two remain.
Mawlai have never played in an MSL final. Indeed, the 2023 edition was their maiden entry and they were knocked out in the semifinals by an inspiring Khliehmawlieh. Lajong, too, went out in the semis that year, to eventual champions Rangdajied United. However, SLFC have previously gone all the way, winning the 2019 edition of the statewide league, which has been sponsored by the Meghalaya government since its inception in 2017.
Mawlai and Lajong have therefore never met in this competition but did face each other in November during the Shillong Premier League and that match ended 1-1.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference held here today, Lajong and Mawlai assistant coaches Milan Nongkhlaw and Teibor Dohling spoke positively about their chances tomorrow.
“We have been preparing the whole of last year for this moment,” Nongkhlaw said. “The semifinalists we met (Rymbai Shkenshynriah) played well and our boys also responded to the challenge but Mawlai is one of the most experienced teams and one of the best in the state. We understand that and we are ready.”
Another Lajong official present was the experienced Rohit Nongspung, who said that the team have been playing well from the beginning of the tournament, though the semifinals, where Lajong were taken to a penalty shootout, were tougher.
Mawlai had a similar experience, winning their group games and quarterfinal comfortably before running up against the stern challenge of Ladthadlaboh in the semis.
“Last time we could not get through to the final but this year our team has prepared well and we are ready to face a very tough team,” Dohling said. “The players are all fit and all are hungry to win for the club and our shnong.”
The player to score the lone goal against Ladthadlaboh and Player of the Match was Damanbhalang Chyne, who was also present at the press conference. He said, “We’ve been preparing well and coach Hering Shangpliang has so much experience and has been guiding us and we know we have to perform our best against one of the best teams in Meghalaya.”
Tickets for the final will be available at the venue and the match will also be streamed live on the Hello Meghalaya app.
