The pursuit of national football glory begins in earnest for Meghalaya as they prepare to host Sikkim in their opening Group E fixture of the Senior Men’s National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy 2025–26. The match is scheduled to take place today, December 19, at the SSA Stadium, First Ground, Polo, with the action kicking off at 4 pm. As the home side, Meghalaya will look to leverage the energy of their local supporters to secure an early advantage in what promises to be a tightly contested group. Fans planning to attend the match can purchase tickets directly at the venue prior to the start of play.
The stakes for this opening encounter are exceptionally high due to the narrow path to qualification. With Group E consisting of only three teams—Meghalaya, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh—only the top-ranked side will earn a spot in the final round scheduled to be held in Assam next month. This “winner-takes-all” dynamic places immense pressure on the hosts to deliver a positive result in their first game, as any slip-up could severely jeopardize their chances of advancing beyond the preliminary stage.
Head coach Khlain Pyrkhat Syiemlieh, who famously led Meghalaya to a historic runner-up finish in the 2022–23 edition, returns to guide the team through this latest campaign. Syiemlieh has noted that the selection process was particularly challenging this year due to the significant depth of talent currently available within the state. While the memory of their narrow final defeat to Karnataka remains a benchmark for the program’s potential, the coaching staff has emphasized that the immediate priority is navigating the current group stage, beginning with the challenge posed by Sikkim.
Both squads enter this tournament with refreshed rosters that look quite different from their previous iterations. This evolution in personnel marks a new chapter for both Meghalaya and Sikkim, who have developed a familiar rivalry through numerous encounters across various age groups and categories. Their most recent meeting in the Santosh Trophy occurred during Meghalaya’s standout 2022–23 season, where the two sides battled to a goalless draw during the group stages. This history of closely fought contests suggests that today’s match will be a disciplined and tactical affair.
Sikkim, led by AFC B Licence holder Gyaltshen D Moktan, arrives with a squad featuring notable professional experience. The roster includes Sanjay Rai, a former ATK youth player, and Narayan Chettri, who has spent time with the Kerala Blasters reserve side. The majority of the visiting team is drawn from Sikkim’s A and B Divisions, supplemented by players who have competed in various leagues outside their home state. Ahead of the opener, the Meghalaya squad received a significant boost from local football leadership. Meghalaya Football Association president Hamletson Dohling, joined by general secretary Sunesh Syiem and executive member Freddy Kharpran, met with the players to express their confidence. Dohling underscored the importance of this tournament not just for immediate success, but as a foundational step toward the state’s long-term sporting objectives, including the hosting of the 2027 National Games.
