Meghalaya Crushes Andhra Pradesh 8-1 to Lead Group A in U20 National Football Championship
Meghalaya dominated Andhra Pradesh 8-1 in a Group A match at the Rama Krishna Mission Ashrama, positioning themselves on the brink of the quarter-finals in the Swami Vivekananda U20 Men’s National Football Championship. The lopsided victory, fueled by braces from Alex Manar, Mebanlamlynti Masharing, and Ryan Gibbs Kharnaior, pushed Meghalaya to nine points from three games. A draw against Rajasthan on May 17 secures their spot as group leaders.
Meghalaya's Attacking Firepower Overwhelms Opponents
Meghalaya's forwards dismantled Andhra Pradesh early and often. Alex Manar struck in the 9th and 45th minutes, Mebanlamlynti Masharing added goals at 16 and 28 minutes, and Ryan Gibbs Kharnaior completed the trio of doubles with strikes in the 48th and 50th minutes. Phermanbha Lyngdoh (58th) and Sholinstar Syngkli (84th) rounded out the scoring, while B Bharath Kumar Reddy's 25th-minute goal stood as Andhra Pradesh's only reply. This clinical display underscores Meghalaya's depth and pace, turning a potential tight contest into a rout.
Jharkhand Edges Rajasthan in Tight Group A Clash
Jharkhand snatched a 2-1 win over Rajasthan on the same pitch, keeping their qualification hopes alive. Rudra Pratap Singh gave Rajasthan a 6th-minute lead, but Roushan Kumar leveled just before halftime in the 41st minute. Animesh Champia clinched victory with a 79th-minute strike. Meghalaya now tops Group A, with Jharkhand's result tightening the race behind them. Rajasthan faces Meghalaya next, a match that could define the group's knockout qualifiers.
Group C Sees High-Scoring Wins for Kerala and Uttarakhand
Kerala thrashed Chandigarh 5-1, powered by Sheril Shaji Thomas's hat-trick in the 3rd, 12th, and 29th minutes, plus late efforts from Calwin Thomas (71st) and Usman TH (86th). Sarthak Ghosh pulled one back for Chandigarh in the 70th. In the day's other Group C fixture, Uttarakhand demolished Andaman and Nicobar 9-1, with goals from Sanjay Mehra (5th), Yash Mittal (25th), Gourav Singh (36th penalty, 75th), Harshit Mahar (38th, 67th), Deboshish Mazumdar (81st), Abhinav Yadav (87th), and an own goal (90+3rd). P Mohammed Hasir scored Andaman and Nicobar's lone goal in the 26th. Uttarakhand leads Group C on goal difference despite both sides holding three points from one match.
Path to Quarter-Finals Takes Shape
Meghalaya controls their destiny in Group A, needing just a point from their final group game. Jharkhand's win keeps pressure on Rajasthan, while Group C's blowouts highlight Uttarakhand and Kerala's attacking prowess. These results reflect the tournament's competitive balance, blending dominant performances with gritty comebacks, as young talents vie for national recognition.
