Bhogtoram Mawroh isn’t able to come down to Polo for football as much as he’d like but he couldn’t miss what proved to be a sensational match between Mawlai and Shillong Lajong in the season-ender of the OC Blue Shillong Premier League 2024. Here are his thoughts on the game…
The game between Shillong Lajong and Mawlai was always going to be a highly contested affair. With the fate of the SPL trophy hanging in balance, it became an even more exciting prospect. I was planning to go for the game but when the TSR editor informed me that he was going to give me a free TSR calendar, I just couldn’t refuse a blockbuster game as well as a free calendar. Another friend also called me as I was about to leave the game and it become very apparent that this was a game which many football lovers in Shillong were waiting for.
When we entered the stadium we found seats difficult to find as many had already been taken. Suddenly we saw a couple of seats lying vacant in the middle of the row. We immediately captured those seats before anyone else could beat us to them. The stadium was already almost full with fans, young and old trickling in as the game was about to start. It was the fans who made this game such a beautiful affair. The shouting and cheering mixed with playful banter was such a refreshing experience. As for the game, it did not fail to deliver and, as it is often the case with a clash between titans, it left a lasting presence on all those present.
Before the game began, Mawlai were the clear favourites. Not having lost a single game throughout the season and having beaten Lajong for the Meghalaya State League title in February, there was expectation that they would be able to finish the job. While Mawlai only needed a draw to win the trophy, for Lajong it was either a victory or they were going home empty handed.
As it’s always the case, the Lajong squad was filled with youngsters, highly talented and very well coached. Mawlai, on the other hand, had a settled team with a mix of youngsters and all pros who had won everything there is at the local level. Brolington Warlaphih and Fullmoon Mukhim have been around for a long time and in recent years have tasted success with Langsning and Mawlai. Donlad Diengdoh was a reliable striker who also has been quite effective in the last few years. Then they had the energetic Damanbhalang Chyne and the electrically quick Robertson Khongriah. Khrawkupar Jana was someone I was really looking forward to watch play, after having heard very good things about him.
Lajong, on the other hand, had players like Babysunday Marngar but, apart from Kynsaibor Lhuid who had left to joined United SC to play in I-League 2, Siwel Rymbai was the only player I had seen play because of his stint with the Meghalaya state team in the Santosh Trophy. The others were quite new for me, since I have not been able to really follow the game as much as I want. But knowing that Bobby L Nongbet had coached them, one can be absolutely sure that these players would be ready for any challenge. This was a game not just between two teams but also between two highly decorated coaches – Bobby, who has had success coaching the junior Lajong, Wahingdoh and state team, against the highly respected Hering Shangpliang, who had also coached Lajong in the past but over the last few years built an all-conquering Langsning and formidable Mawlai. So, the game had the added intrigue of finding out which coach would come on top.
Lajong had to win and therefore it was expected that they would try to begin quickly. Hering Shangpliang’s team on the other hand, are always known for their fast-paced game and I was expecting them to smother Lajong with their pace early on in the game. However, what transpired was completely opposite. Apart for the first few minutes when Robertson was tip-toeing his way past defenders from the left, Mawlai looked very slow in their play. They were trying to completely bypass the midfield and look for Donlad upfront to hold up the ball and bring the others into play. Lajong, on the other hand, were absolutely clinical and professional in the passing, using the flanks very well. Babysunday was especially very effective in how he was able to hold on to the ball despite immense pressure from the opposition players. Rimankhraw Kharumnuid supported Babysunday with his own marauding runs from his full back position. What it did was push Robertson back, who had to do a lot of defensive work, blunting his attacking threat.
The dominance of Lajong from the right eventually paid off with a corner which was then headed into the goal by Abhay Chettri. With the goal, it was expected that Mawlai would finally open up and start taking the game to Lajong. Donlad did get some good chances with one especially where he only had to beat Siwel to score the goal. However, the Lajong goalkeeper and captain firmly stood his ground and made a fantastic save.
Donlad, as already stated, has been a reliable striker over the last few years but he has never been very prolific. In the recent Santsoh Trophy he did score a couple of goals against Delhi but he’s more of a target man who brings others into play. He’s someone who holds the ball very well and then lays them for the wingers or the attacking midfielder. However, on this occasion Lajong were able to isolate him by pressing Mawlai very high. So, many of his flick headers went nowhere since his team mates had been hemmed into their own half.
The high pressing of Lajong was their main weapon in the first half. Due to the relentless pressing, Mawlai looked scared to pass the ball into the midfield to Fullmoon and Baiaikara Swer, who got a yellow card for his frustration. They were trying to play high balls to Donlad, which was easily dealt with by Abhay and Badandor Marbaniang, both of whom had a good game in the middle of defence. But since Lajong were pressing high, it was inevitable that if the press failed then they would be vulnerable at the back with lots of space for the attackers. Here again, Donlad’s lack of pace was the biggest drawback. If Robertson had drifted inside, he could have been more effective. But because he had been pushed back due to the press, he could not support the attack. So, it was a game of chess in which the risks taken by Lajong worked in their favour. It was 1-0 at half time with Lajong in control and Mawlai looking bereft of ideas.
I was expecting Mawlai to begin aggressively in the second half with Lajong also continuing their attacks in order to put the game to bed. Mawlai did exactly that but Lajong appeared to have gone into their shell. Damanbhalang began to have a greater influence in the game as the effective Number 10 (despite what his jersey number was officially) who would make attacking runs into the box from the midfield. There was more aggression from Mawlai with some really strong tackles being laid on Lajong players. However, when their initial attacks did not lead to much impact, it allowed the opposition to come back into the game.
What really stood out and was the difference between the two teams was the organisation, energy and the difference in level of skills showcased between both set of players. Lajong were much more organised with every player knowing where their team mates would be, showing an immense degree of coordination. They displayed very high energy levels hunting down any loose balls and playing out of tight situations with consummate ease. Babysunday was a great example of that, showing great individual skills and great balance. But maybe the most iconic move that showed the gulf in skills between the two sets of players was when Riborlang Lyngdoh Lyngkhoi was able to skip past multiple players with such graceful ease that every spectator who saw that could just gasp in admiration. In fact many of the triangles they created to get out of difficult situations were master classes in team work and a good example of why people, though it can be at times boring, love tiki-taka. Lajong players looked like they were ready to play at a higher level while Mawlai, though they also had some good players, were unable to match the class Lajong players displayed that night.
At a time when they were being outplayed, Mawlai needed a game changer and one was sitting on the bench for them. With the team needing an injection of dynamism, it was expected that Khrawkupar would get his chance to enter the fray very soon. When he didn’t come on in the first half itself, it was expected that he would come early in the second. However, it was Fairming Suting who came on before him for Donlad, who would have been very disappointed with his own performance. But still there was no sign of Khrawkupar. Finally, he did get his chance and not long after he won the penalty which Damanbhalang smashed into the net, raising hopes of a comeback for Mawlai. But, alas, it was not to be and a lot of the credit for helping Lajong cross the finish line must go to their goalkeeper and captain Siwel.
A highly confident player with a good presence around the box, Siwel was colossal for Lajong in this very important game. He made some brilliant saves but what was most impressive about him was his catching. In the first few minutes of the game during this first half he looked a little weak under high balls. But as the game progressed he became more and more confident. Instead of just punching the ball away and risking it landing in the path of the opposing players, Siwel plucked the balls from mid-air and did a little time wasting in order to kill the game. That’s something that is expected of professional players. If there ever was a sport where performances can be deemed Oscar worthy it will be footballers trying to fool the referees. As a captain and the goalkeeper he was the difference maker for Lajong. While spectators might have been fascinated by the graceful skills on display by Lajong outfield players, it was the goalkeeper who made sure that the game was shut for Mawlai.
On the balance of play, Lajong were deserved winners. It was a game between men versus boys but it was the boys who thrashed the men and showed what the future of football might look like for Meghalaya. With this display the young players from Lajong will be looking to knock on the doors of the first team to get an opportunity to play in the I-League. Some may get the opportunity sooner than others but those who don’t must look to leave Shillong and try to build their career elsewhere. It will be a shame if they were to be happy staying back.
As for Mawlai, this game was a good lesson that they can take if they were to choose to qualify for the I-League – they are eligible for entry into I-League 3 since they won the MSL. There are a few players who are in the twilight of their careers but players like Robertson, Damanbhalang and Khrawkupar, if he can focus and be disciplined, deserve to get a shot to play at a higher level. Trying to be the best and compete against the best has to be the incentive for every player who plays in the SPL. A big thank you to Lajong and Mawlai for creating this unforgettable memory, and all the best to both teams as they aim for even greater success in the future. Cheers.
