Late free-kick lifts Meghalaya into semifinals
Shillong, Sep 20: Meghalaya produced a dramatic turnaround to beat Punjab 2-1 in Group C of the Dr Talimeren Ao National Football Championship for Junior Girls (Tier 2) 2026-27 at Narainpur, Chhattisgarh, and clinch top place with a perfect record from two matches.
After falling behind inside the opening quarter-hour to a free-kick by Japleen Kaur in the 10th minute, the Meghalaya side levelled in the second half through Ripaia Phawa (61') and grabbed the winner deep into stoppage time when Peacefully Pohplet struck from a direct free-kick (90'+3) that crossed the goal-line despite the Punjab goalkeeper's intervention.
With Nagaland having withdrawn from the group, Meghalaya's earlier emphatic 8-0 victory over Jammu and Kashmir two days prior, coupled with this result, gave them a full complement of six points from two matches and confirmed their place at the top of Group C.
How the match unfolded
- Punish struck first: Japleen Kaur opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a looping free-kick that beat Meghalaya goalkeeper Dawansaphi Snaitang.
- Meghalaya reply: Peacefully Pohplet delivered the set-piece from which Ripaia Phawa connected with the rebound to equalise in the 61st minute.
- Stoppage-time winner: From distance, Peacefully's direct free-kick in added time found the net, putting Meghalaya ahead and ultimately securing the win.
Meghalaya coach Haphilabet Kharkongor made two changes to his starting XI, bringing in Venecle Kharmusulman and Deiphiwansara Lyngkhoi for Saralang Lapang and Bansara Rynshiang. The team that took the field included goalkeeper Dawansaphi Snaitang and key performers Ripaia Phawa and Peacefully Pohplet.
| Minute | Event |
|---|---|
| 10' | Japleen Kaur (Punjab) – free-kick, 1-0 |
| 61' | Ripaia Phawa (Meghalaya) – rebound from Peacefully’s free-kick, 1-1 |
| 90'+3 | Peacefully Pohplet (Meghalaya) – direct free-kick, 2-1 |
Tactical notes and key performers
Meghalaya absorbed early pressure after conceding, then grew into the game as the match progressed. The equaliser came from a well-executed set-piece routine: Peacefully’s delivery forced a save, and Ripaia was quickest to react to steer the rebound home. The winning moment was a long-range dead-ball strike by Peacefully that the Punjab goalkeeper Suhana managed to get a hand to but could not prevent from crossing the line.
Goalkeeper Dawansaphi Snaitang was tested by Punjab’s early initiative yet remained resilient, while the strike partnership and substitutes provided the attacking spark in the second half. Coach Kharkongor’s decision to refresh the starting line-up paid dividends as the team managed energy and tactical balance down the stretch.
What the result means
Meghalaya now have 6 points from two group matches and have confirmed first place in Group C. Their semifinal opponent will be the winner of Group A; that match-up will be decided on 25 September. Meghalaya must wait a few days for the Group A outcome before knowing the exact opposition and venue for the semifinal.
The result also removes the need for Meghalaya to rely on the outcome of Punjab's remaining fixture against Jammu and Kashmir on 22 September to determine qualification, giving the northeast side a clearer run into the knockout phase.
Line-up and substitutions (Meghalaya)
- Starting XI included: Dawansaphi Snaitang (GK), Ripaia Phawa, Paleimon L Lyngkhoi, Daficare Lyngkhoi, Nishalin Nongrum, Venecle Kharmusulman.
- Substitutions: Venecle Kharmusulman came in for Bansara Rynshiang at half-time; Bandabetshisha Nongrum was later replaced by Saphidabet Kharmalki (67').
The win will be welcomed by Meghalaya football followers as evidence of the state's growing strength at youth level and its ability to compete in national age-group tournaments. Progress to the semifinals offers the young players exposure to higher-stakes matches and further development opportunities.
Meghalaya will regroup and prepare to face the Group A winner on 25 September, with attention likely to focus on recovery, set-piece practice and preparations to handle varied opponent styles in the knockout stage.
