Dawanchwa hat-trick helps Meghalaya sink Assam in Santosh Trophy zonals
Dawanchwa Carlos Challam hat-trick helped Meghalaya hammer Assam 6-2 in their first Group A zonal round encounter of Santosh Trophy at the JN Stadium here on November 28.
Maxderidoff Wahlang and skipper Hardycliff Nongbri were the other two goal scorers for Meghalaya. For Assam, No. 10 Milan Basumatary scored a goal, and the other goal came in the form of a blunder from the Meghalaya players, which resulted in a goal for Assam.
Meghalaya controlled the proceedings from start to finish, with Assam having little chance to advance. Despite the pressure, Assam managed to stave off the Meghalaya onslaught quite successfully in the first half, however they faded in the second.
In the 15th minute, Challam took the lead as Atlanson Kharmaw threaded the ball for the No. 15 to tuck in in the far corner.
The 1-0 advantage was short-lived, as Assam equalised with the first of Basumatary's strikes after only 12 minutes. Assam goalie Padam Chettri lost his balance and therefore the ball after a forward pass by Assam, allowing Assam to cut the lead.
After an Assam player placed the ball into his own net following a Meghalaya cross, the hosts took the lead again just three minutes later.
Another five goals were scored in the second half, with Challam converting a chance in the 50th minute when the ball popped up for him invitingly following a goalmouth scramble in which Assam failed to clear the ball correctly.
In the end, Meghalaya managed to close the encounter at 6-2 against Assam.
The next match will see Assam lock horns with Arunachal Pradesh on November 30 at 2.30 pm.
On December 2 Meghalaya will take on Arunachal Pradesh for their second encounter at JLN Stadium, Shillong. The match will begin at 2.30 pm.
TNT-The Northeast Today is now on WhatsApp: CLICK HERE to receive more updates on your phone.
ALSO READ: Manipur beat Meghalaya 4-0 in women’s National Football Championship
