Bhubaneswar: Odisha were on course to topping Group V of the Santosh Trophy as they led Meghalaya 2-1 with the match running into injury time.
In a heart-breaking moment, ES Mylliempdah scored in the 92nd minute to level scores and force a draw.
The crucial one point took Meghalaya to the top with a tally of 11 – one more than Odisha and Sikkim. However, a better goal difference ensured Odisha pipped Sikkim to the second spot.
Had Odisha managed to defend their citadel during the last few moments and maintained their lead, they would have completed their engagements with 12, keeping Meghalaya on 10. But that was not to be.
The match at the Capital Football Arena exploded to life during first-half stoppage time.
A Lyngdoh broke the deadlock with a 46th-minute strike. Odisha’s Prabin Tigga quickly neutralised Meghalaya’s lead by scoring within two minutes.
Chandra Muduli put Odisha ahead for the first time in the match, just before the hour-mark. The home team clung on to the slender lead for over half an hour, but a momentary lapse cost them victory.
Odisha thus finished with 3 wins, a draw and a defeat (vs Telangana).
