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HomeSportSantosh Trophy: Meghalaya's rag-tag team of part-timers aim to create history

Santosh Trophy: Meghalaya’s rag-tag team of part-timers aim to create history

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Riyadh, Mar 2 (PTI) A ragtag bunch of amateur footballers and full-time family men hailing from some of most non-descript villages of north eastern India have their date with destiny when Meghalaya lock horns with Karnataka in the Santish Trophy final on Saturday.

Meghalaya, who stunned former champions Punjab 2-1 on Wednesday to enter their maiden final, face Karnataka in the summit clash at the King Fahd International Stadium as Santosh Trophy’s business end is being staged in the foreign shores for the first time.

The tiny north-eastern state has produced some of the finest India international footballers as well as I-League and ISL players but have not won a Santosh Trophy title till date. The state reached their first semi-final in this edition only.

Santosh Trophy has lost much of its relevance in the last 10 years with the I-League and ISL players no longer featuring in the tournament but for the Meghalaya players, a triumph will be their “ultimate” achievement.

Head coach Khlain Syiemlieh has put together a team made up of amateur and semi-professionals, mostly based in capital Shillong, but with the overriding aim of lifting the trophy.

In a team, which is a mix of youth and experience, four players ply their trade in Bengaluru in second division sides.

For Brolington Warlarpih, who juggles between playing football and working at a hospital in Shillong, a triumph on Saturday will also mark the end of his Santosh Trophy journey after playing in 10 editions.

“This will be my 10th Santosh Trophy and I want to win this desperately,” said 34-year-old Brolington, who works as a supervisor of the laundry staff at the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences in Shillong.

“If we win the title, I will retire from football and spend more time with my family. It is difficult to play football and also do a job with a family to look after,” said Brolington, who has a small daughter but still plays for Mawlai SC, the Shillong Premier League champions.

He was born in a village called Mawkynrew, about 35km from Shillong, but has shifted to the state capital with his family to play football and find a job.

‘Fullmoon’ and Betel Nut business ================================ Brolington’s friend and the senior-most player in the team after him, Fullmoon Mukhim also plays for Mawlai FC and has featured in eight Santosh Trophy campaigns without success so far and Saturday can change that.

The 28-year-old wants to play in bigger clubs in the I-League or the ISL.

“A title win will be the ultimate achievement for Meghalaya and we will play like tigers,” said Mukhim who was to captain the side in the semifinals but missed out the match due to a right calf strain. He said he is fit to play in the final on Saturday.

Mukhim, who is also married, said he gets Rs 30,000 to 40,000 per season from Mawlai SC for playing in the Shillong Premier League but that is not enough to run a family.

“My family grows and sells betel leaves at my village and I joined the business when I don’t play football for my club,” said Mukhim who hails from Laitlum village, about 20km from Shillong.

“So, my aim and also other players’ aim is to get a chance to play in I-League or ISL. If we win the title, the top clubs will take notice of us. That will be good for us financially and for our career.” Sheen Stevenson Sohktung, who scored a last-gasp winning goal against Punjab in the semifinals, was not part of the team in the first and second rounds in India but was called by head coach Syiemlieh for the Saudi Arabian leg of the championships.

“I am working at the office of the Accountant General in Shillong but I get leave to play in tournaments,” said the 26-year-old Sheen who also plays for Ryntih SC in the Shillong Premier League.

Crazy fans at home anticipating title ====================== Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma has tweeted to congratulate the team on entering maiden final and urging to bring the trophy home. Head coach Syiemlieh said football crazy fans back home are waiting for the final match.

“We have been getting a lot of calls and messages from people at home since last night. They are hoping for our historic win,” he said.

Asked how the fans will receive the players back home if the team wins the title, Brolington said, “Maybe they (the fans) will line up the road from Guwahati to Shillong.” Shillong has no railhead and most of the people travel from Guwahati to Shillong by road.

When Mizoram won the Santosh Trophy in 2014, thousands of people lined up along the road from the airport to the Aizawl city center.

Former India midfielder Eugeneson Lyngdoh, who hails from Meghalaya and who has come here as team manager, feels a Santosh Trophy win will be a watershed moment in Megahalya’s football history.

What’s there in a name? ============== The northeastern part of the country is known to have some amusing names among its sportspersons and this Meghalaya football team is no exception.

Besides captain Fullmoon, the key midfielder’s name is Figo Syndai, after the legendary Portuguese footballer. Henry Ford Nongneng is a defender and Everbrightson Myliempdah is a forward. The team’s physio is Lucky Mary Marbaniang.

“Our parents gave us these kinds of special names, similar to the names of famous people. I am happy with my name,” said Mukhim with a smile. PTI PDS KHS KHS

This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.

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