But another Meghalaya school was not so lucky. For, in the sub-junior section, St John's School from Ranchi (Bihar) outwitted Mynkem Christian High School (Meghalaya) to enter the semi-finals via tiebreaker. The Ranchi outfit won 2-1.

The well-contested semi-final saw the two teams from the Northeast playing to their potential without giving an inch to the other. But midway through the game, Meghalaya schoolboys picked up momentum and, as a result, they surged ahead through Lekini Suping when he struck in the 18th minute. Lambok Rymbai made it 2-0 eight minutes later as the teams went for a break.

On return, Khamsaon boys showed more determination and their relentless attack enabled them reduce the margin soon after resumption. A. R. Wungshungmi placed the ball neatly to pull one down. They, however, could do no more as the Meghalaya boys pulled up their socks and thwarted any forays from their rivals to romp home comfortably.

Unlike this game, the sub-junior match failed to raise to any expectations as the teams indulged in unnecessary and aimless shooting. In their anxiety to guard their citadel, the teams wasted quite a few opportunities. This process continued even after resumption but without any result. Even the extra-time proved to be a futile exercise.

Once the tiebreaker was forced, the Ranchi outfit made most of the chance top clinch a semi-final berth with Rajendra Xalxo and Sawna Oraon scoring for them while the lone success came for Mynkem when Batskhem Makri made no mistake with his shot.