Meghalaya THRASHES Assam 4-0 to win U-17 Boys’ Subroto Cup ~ KHALVONTAWI

Manipur wins U-17 Girls’ Title in Penalty Shootout Against Haryana 6-4

Mizoram wins U-14 Boys’ Title by Beating Assam 2-1

By: Bruce K. Thangkhal

New Delhi, Oct 19, 2013: OM Roy Memorial, Shillong, Meghalaya, won the U-17 Boys’ Subroto Cup after defeating Magurmari High School, Kokrajhar, Assam, 4-0 in the final at Dr B. R. Ambedkar Stadium on Saturday. Teams from the Northeast dominated the tournament, winning all titles. Manipur secured the U-17 Girls’ title, while Mizoram won the U-14 Boys’ title in this 54th edition of the prestigious trophy.

Manipur crowned champions of the U-17 Girls’ Subroto Cup. - BKT

The match started with Meghalaya controlling the game, but scoring was not easy in the beginning. Mebanshan Suting and Nongrud Jefferson scored in the 34th and 46th minutes, respectively.

In the second half, Meghalaya completely dominated. They controlled possession, and Kynter Lenningston and Kurbah Michaelson scored in the 61st and 69th minutes. This victory marks the second time since 1978 that a team from Meghalaya has won the U-17 Boys’ title. Meghalaya had lost in the final in 2011. Assam previously won the title in 1986 and 1992, and this was their fifth appearance in the final.

The first half was evenly matched before Suting broke the deadlock with a stunning shot from the top of the box that found the top corner a minute before the break. The goal lifted Meghalaya’s spirits, and they dominated the second half. Nongrud doubled the lead with a diving header from a cross on the left just after the restart. Kynter Leningstar then added the third goal with a powerful long-range shot.

Manipur’s Dangmei Grace receives the Most Promising Player Award. - BKT

Despite their efforts, Assam could not make a comeback. Their striker, Kapil, forced a fine save from Meghalaya’s goalkeeper, Sten Banshanlal, in the 65th minute with a well-placed shot from outside the box. Kurbah Michaelson sealed Meghalaya’s victory with a header after receiving a cross from Nongrud Jefferson.

Manipur coach Fatima Begum receives Best Coach Award.- BKT

Speaking after the final, Meghalaya striker Mebanshan Suting, who was the tournament’s second-highest scorer with seven goals, said, “We did not play very well in the first half, but we managed to find our rhythm in the second half.”

As part of their Generation Adidas Programme, Adidas has taken steps to improve player selection and development in the Subroto Cup. For the first time in the tournament’s history, I-League clubs have shown interest in scouting young talent. Spotters from Shillong Lajong and Pune FC selected 15 boys, who will now go for trials with these clubs.

Haryana - Runners-up of U-17 Girls Subroto Cup. - BKT

These 15 players from U-17 Boys’ champions OM Roy Memorial, Meghalaya, will also take part in the Bayern Youth Cup, a tournament organised by Adidas in association with German club Bayern Munich, to be held in the capital later this year.

The U-17 Girls’ title was won by Radha Madhav Sanskrit Vidyalaya of Bishnupur, Manipur, who defeated Government Senior Secondary School, Alakhpura, Bhiwani, Haryana, 6-4 in a penalty shootout after the match ended 1-1. Manipur reached the final after beating Mizoram 5-1 in the semi-final, IPSC 8-0 in the quarter-final, Goa 7-0 in the third match, Assam 7-0 in the second match, and Delhi 13-0 in the first match.

In the U-14 Boys’ final, Government Chawmfianga Middle School of Kolasib, Mizoram, defeated Betkuchi High School, Kamrup, Assam, 2-1.

Meghalaya - Winners of U-17 Boys Subroto Cup.- BKT

Yuwa, a girls’ team from Jharkhand that recently secured third place at the Geisteiz Cup in Spain, played an exhibition match against this year’s girls’ champions, Radha Madhav Sanskrit Vidyalaya of Bishnupur, Manipur. The match ended goalless and was Yuwa’s first match in India.

Every year, over 20,000 schools across the country participate in the qualification stages of the tournament. Organisers select a group of talented young boys for the “Subroto Boys” programme, where they receive scholarships for education and football training. This year’s edition featured 476 players from 31 teams, including two foreign teams. Legendary athlete Padma Shri Milkha Singh attended the closing ceremony as the guest of honour.

The organisers also selected 25 young boys for the “Subroto Boys” group, providing them with scholarships for education and football training.

Haryana - Runners-up of U-17 Girls Subroto Cup. - BKT

In the U-17 Boys’ category, Mebanshan Suting (OM Roy High School, Shillong, Meghalaya) was named Best Player, Jeffrey Warlarpih (OM Roy High School, Shillong, Meghalaya) was awarded Best Coach, Sten Banshanlanl (OM Roy High School, Shillong, Meghalaya) was Best Goalkeeper, and Jwngbla Brahma (Magurmari High School, Kokrajhar, Assam) was named Most Promising Player. GV Raja Sports School (Kerala) received the Fair Play Award.

Assam - Runners Up of U-17 Boys Subroto Cup. - BKT

In the U-17 Girls’ category, Sanju (Fountainhead School, Surat, Gujarat) was named Best Player, Fatima Begum (Radha Madhav Sanskrit Vidyalaya, Nambol, Bishnupur, Manipur) was Best Coach, M Linthoingambi (Radha Madhav Sanskrit Vidyalaya, Nambol, Bishnupur, Manipur) was Best Goalkeeper, and Dangmei Grace (Radha Madhav Sanskrit Vidyalaya, Nambol, Bishnupur, Manipur) was named Most Promising Player. Fountainhead School, Surat, Gujarat, received the Fair Play Award.

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