Defending champions Rangdajied United will face 2019 winners Shillong Lajong in a thrilling quarterfinal clash to kick off the 4th Meghalaya State League (MSL) 2024 on January 9. The match will take place at the Wahiajer Sports Complex, with all quarterfinals scheduled to kick off at 1 pm. The highly anticipated tournament, paused in November for the state men’s football team’s Santosh Trophy preparations, will resume with this marquee fixture. The tournament had seen Meghalaya exit in the quarterfinals of the national competition.
Tournament Director Dr LL Mawsor confirmed the quarterfinal fixtures, with a double-header on January 11. Sutnga (East Jaintia Hills) and Ladthadlaboh (West Jaintia Hills) will battle it out in the Jaintia Hills Derby in Diengshynrum, Khliehriat. In Shillong, Mawlai will take on Khliehmawlieh in a rematch of last year’s MSL semifinal, where Khliehmawlieh’s shock win was followed by Rangdajied’s title victory. The final quarterfinal will be held on January 14 at the PA Sangma Stadium in Tura, where Chipakkore will meet Rymbai Shkenshynriah.
Rangdajied, Lajong, Sutnga, Ladthadlaboh, Mawlai, and Khliehmawlieh emerged as group winners, with R Shkenshynriah and Khliehmawlieh securing knockout spots as the best second-placed teams. The intense rivalry between Rangdajied and Lajong promises another exciting chapter in the MSL.