Shillong, Sep 28: Mylliem Lum became the champions of the Shillong Sports Association’s Second Division 2025 by defeating Laitkyrhong in the final 4-3 on penalties at the SSA Stadium at First Ground, Polo, yesterday.
By reaching the final both clubs already secured promotion to next season’s First Division. But the players came out to raucous cheers from their respective supporters as they chased the title of champions and the Rs 1 lakh in prize money.
Mylliem Lum had won all of their six matches this season up until yesterday but were up against a different level of competition and the pressure of a final also may have weighed heavily on them. Similarly, Laitkyrhong were also unbeaten this season, though they had drawn two of their group games.
Ninety minutes and extra time finished without a goal being scored.
Mylliem Lum had a chance to go ahead early when a cross from the left hit the upright and stayed in play, though defender Arkon Mawlong quickly tapped it into safety by putting it out for a corner. Klinstar Marbaniang then challenged the Laitkyrhong goalkeeper, Honestar Khyriem, with an interesting long-range attempt before half an hour on the clock but, overall, both sides were a little ragged in the first half.
Laitkyrhong seemed to have the edge in the second session but Baniaineh Kharkrang, Mylliem Lum’s custodian, pulled off a couple of brilliant saves, such as with his leap at full stretch in the 70th minute, to keep the scores level.
Fifteen minutes of extra time also failed to yield a goal and the game went to a tiebreaker.
Laitkyrhong started things off but had their second kick blocked by Baniaineh. Their fourth was entirely off the mark and Mylliem Lum, who had scored from their first three kicks, could’ve won it if they converted their fourth. They had the best chance to do so as Shaitborlang Kharkrang (the season’s top scorer) stepped up to take the shot. However, he blasted the ball well over the crossbar. So, it came down to Baniaineh to score the winning penalty, which he did to make it 4-3.
Unsurprisingly, Baniaineh was named Player of the Final at the prize distribution ceremony. Shaitborlang collected the award for Top Scorer for his eight goals this season.
Meghalaya Football Association President Hamletson Dohling was the chief guest on the occasion. Senior members of the SSA were also the present. Mylliem Lum received Rs 1 lakh as prize money, while Laitkyrhong got Rs 50,000.
With the conclusion of the Second Division, the SSA’s First Division 2025 will begin from Monday. The opening match will be between Meghalaya Police and Nongrah at 1:30PM. (Get the full schedule here.) This will be followed by the Shillong Premier League 2025 fixture between Malki and Nangkiew Irat at 4:30PM.
(TSR photo)