Manipur’s T.G. English School triumphed over Meghalaya’s Myngken Christian Higher Secondary School in a thrilling final to claim the Junior Boys title at the 63rd Subroto Cup International Football Tournament. The match, held in Delhi, ended 4-3 in Manipur’s favor after a dramatic sudden-death tie-breaker, following a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
A Nail-Biting 63rd Subroto Cup Finale
The opening goal came in the 32nd minute when Namdigong of T.G. English School capitalized on a goalmouth scramble to put his team ahead. However, Meghalaya’s Banpliebok Khongjoh equalized from the penalty spot in the 64th minute, just six minutes before full-time.
The penalty shootout that followed saw high drama as Meghalaya’s goalkeeper Wanpli Malang dragged his first sudden-death spot-kick wide, allowing Manipur to claim the title for the first time in 43 years.
Despite playing almost 20 minutes with 10 men after a red card to Heroba, Manipur’s resilient defense held firm against a Meghalaya side that dominated the game but struggled with finishing.
The Prize Ceremony
The trophy was presented to the winners by Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of the Air Staff and Chairman of the Subroto Mukerjee Sports Education Society (SMSES), alongside 2022 Asian Games double silver medallist, Harmilan Bains, who served as the Guest of Honour.
During the prize distribution, Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari remarked, “This tournament has once again proven to be an incredible platform for nurturing young football talent. We have witnessed the emergence of several promising athletes this year, and I have no doubt that some of them will go on to represent India at the highest levels.”
Match Highlights and Key Players
Meghalaya looked the more creative side throughout the match, driven by their central midfielder Banpliebok, who was named Player of the Tournament. Banpliebok’s performance, along with right-winger Banganson Nonglhlang, who netted three hat-tricks during the tournament, pushed the team forward, but their finishing let them down at critical moments.
Manipur’s Namdigong broke the deadlock in the first half with a goal against the run of play, following a long throw from the left flank. Despite a missed penalty by Meghalaya’s Alicester Thangkiew and several wasted chances, Banpliebok leveled the score with a second penalty late in the second half, sending the game into a penalty shootout.
In the shootout, the tension mounted as both teams converted their early kicks, but missed attempts by key players left the score tied. Phonis of Manipur ultimately clinched victory in the sudden-death round after Meghalaya’s Wanpli missed his attempt.
Celebrating the Talent
Harmilan Bains, the Guest of Honour, praised the young athletes, saying, “The passion, grit, and determination these players have shown throughout the tournament is commendable. I’m confident that many of these young footballers will shine in the coming years.”
The winners received Rs. 5,00,000, while the runner-up team took home Rs. 3,00,000. Semi-finalists and quarter-finalists were also awarded monetary prizes.
Individual Awards
- Best Player: Banpliebok Khongjoh (Meghalaya)
- Best Goalkeeper: Master Ranidas (Manipur)
- Best Coach: Kitborlans Kharlukhi (Meghalaya)
- Fair Play Award: Guru Gobind Singh Sports College, Lucknow
- Best School: T.G. English School, Manipur
Subroto Cup 2024 U17 Boys Final Full Match
Subroto Cup Overview
The 63rd edition of the Subroto Cup saw 75 matches played across four venues in Delhi and NCR, including Tejas Football Ground, Ambedkar Stadium, G.D. Goenka World School, and KIIT Global School. In other categories, Mother’s International School from Ranchi, Jharkhand, won the Junior Girls (U17) title, while Nongiri Presbyterian Secondary School from Meghalaya emerged victorious in the Sub-Junior Boys (U15) category.
The tournament continues to serve as a vital platform for young footballers across India and beyond, showcasing emerging talent and promoting the development of grassroots football.
