<p>Meghalaya beat former champions West Bengal 2-1 to finish second in their group and qualify for the semifinals of the Santosh Trophy National Football Championships for the first time here on Monday.</p>.<p>Meghalaya became the fourth and the last team to reach the semifinals which will be played in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, along with the final from March 1 to 4.</p>.<p>Meghalaya finished second in Group B with 10 points from five matches behind Services (13 points), who also booked a semifinal berth and ticket to Saudi Arabia.</p>.<p>Punjab and Karnataka have already qualified for the semifinals from Group A as winners and runners-up.</p>.<p>In the semifinals at the at the King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh, Punjab will face Meghalaya while Services will take on Karnataka.</p>.<p>Bengal took the lead through Sougata Hansda in the 36th minute.</p>.<p>But Meghalaya did not let their heads drop, though, and found their reward at the fag end of the first half, with Allen Lyngdoh (44th) and Nikelson Bina (45+3) scoring in quick succession.</p>.<p>The second half was played at a slower pace. Meghalaya were keen to see the game out without any drama. An injury to Bengal goalkeeper Shubham Roy meant that there would be a lot of added time, and despite repeated Bengal attempts, an equaliser never arrived.</p>.<p>"There is a good mix of boys who have experience playing not just Santosh Trophy but also for clubs outside the state," Meghalaya head coach Khlain Syiemlieh said after the match.</p>.<p>"They have a lot of hunger and desire and I'm very happy for them. They deserve it."</p>.<p>Despite boasting of some big clubs that have been part of the I-League (Shillong Lajong, Royal Wahingdoh and Rangdajied United), and India internationals of the calibre of Eugenson Lyngdoh and Aiborlang Khongjee, Meghalaya have never truly been regarded as a powerhouse of northeast football, let alone that of India.</p>.<p>A solitary bronze, won in the National Games in 2007, has been their best achievement in the game.</p>.<p>Khongjee, in fact, was a part of that bronze winning side and is now the assistant coach of the Meghalaya Santosh Trophy team.</p>.<p>In other matches, Services thrashed Railways 4-0 while Delhi defeated Manipur 2- 0.</p>
<p>Meghalaya beat former champions West Bengal 2-1 to finish second in their group and qualify for the semifinals of the Santosh Trophy National Football Championships for the first time here on Monday.</p>.<p>Meghalaya became the fourth and the last team to reach the semifinals which will be played in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, along with the final from March 1 to 4.</p>.<p>Meghalaya finished second in Group B with 10 points from five matches behind Services (13 points), who also booked a semifinal berth and ticket to Saudi Arabia.</p>.<p>Punjab and Karnataka have already qualified for the semifinals from Group A as winners and runners-up.</p>.<p>In the semifinals at the at the King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh, Punjab will face Meghalaya while Services will take on Karnataka.</p>.<p>Bengal took the lead through Sougata Hansda in the 36th minute.</p>.<p>But Meghalaya did not let their heads drop, though, and found their reward at the fag end of the first half, with Allen Lyngdoh (44th) and Nikelson Bina (45+3) scoring in quick succession.</p>.<p>The second half was played at a slower pace. Meghalaya were keen to see the game out without any drama. An injury to Bengal goalkeeper Shubham Roy meant that there would be a lot of added time, and despite repeated Bengal attempts, an equaliser never arrived.</p>.<p>"There is a good mix of boys who have experience playing not just Santosh Trophy but also for clubs outside the state," Meghalaya head coach Khlain Syiemlieh said after the match.</p>.<p>"They have a lot of hunger and desire and I'm very happy for them. They deserve it."</p>.<p>Despite boasting of some big clubs that have been part of the I-League (Shillong Lajong, Royal Wahingdoh and Rangdajied United), and India internationals of the calibre of Eugenson Lyngdoh and Aiborlang Khongjee, Meghalaya have never truly been regarded as a powerhouse of northeast football, let alone that of India.</p>.<p>A solitary bronze, won in the National Games in 2007, has been their best achievement in the game.</p>.<p>Khongjee, in fact, was a part of that bronze winning side and is now the assistant coach of the Meghalaya Santosh Trophy team.</p>.<p>In other matches, Services thrashed Railways 4-0 while Delhi defeated Manipur 2- 0.</p>