Shillong, March 6: The Meghalaya football team that clinched the Silver Medal at the 2023 Santosh Trophy received Hero’s reception on Monday by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) and the Federation of Khasi Jaiñtia and Garo people (FKJGP) at Mawlai Petrol Pump, Shillong.
The Meghalaya football team created history by qualifying for the final round of the prestigious Santosh Trophy for the first time since it became a state.
Meghalaya lost 2-3 to Karnataka in a very thrilling game in the final in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
In recent years, Meghalaya in the Santosh Trophy has delivered consistent yet unremarkable performances – often qualifying for the final round but not getting very far from there. Karnataka had last finished runners-up in 1975-76. For Meghalaya, it was their maiden entry in the final.
“The exposure we got is unimaginable; the boys gained a lot of experience, they are all young and we will be more prepared for next year,” said coach Khlain Pyrkhat Syiemlieh.
In the final of 2023 Santosh Trophy, most of the Karnataka players were from the Bangalore Super Division League, while a majority of the Meghalaya players play in the Shillong Premier League.
“This year we had prepared very well, however, the players from other states have had lot of exposure compared to our players who mostly are first timers,” added Khlain.
Encouraging the young boys of the State, Khlain said that Football is not just a sport anymore, football is a career but they need to give their heart and work hard and be very disciplined.
