Shillong, Dec 1: Chesterpaul Lyngdoh scored a hat-trick on the way to Nongkseh’s whopping 7-0 victory against Mawlynrei in Group B of the SSA Champions Cup 2025 at the SSA Stadium at First Ground, Polo, here this evening.
The other match of the day, in Group A, saw Umlyngka edge Mylliem Lum 1-0. Samborwell Nongbsap scored the only goal of that contest in the 67th minute. Later, though, Nongkseh were a cut above Mawlynrei, with Chesterpaul (40’, 45’+3, 58’), Kitboklang Pale (51’, 53’), Hardy Cliff Nongbri (63’) and Gerrard Dakerlang Sun (84’) giving Nongkseh a rocking win.
Both matches were very important in the grand scheme of things. With only the top two teams from each group progressing to the semifinals, a second defeat in three games meant that Mylliem Lum were knocked out of contention. Umlyngka, already out of the running after losing their first two fixtures, thus won only a consolation victory but also moved up to third in Group A.
In Group B, victory consolidated Nongkseh’s hold on second place, though Top 2 is still not confirmed for them. Meanwhile, defeat meant Mawlynrei slipped to fourth in the group behind Mawkriah West.
Nongkseh attacked Mawlynrei from all angles and it looked like the defence was hanging by a thread. Nevertheless, Mawlynrei held out until the 40th minute when Chester scored from a gorgeous diagonal ball delivered into the box by a team mate. Then, just before half time, he then doubled the lead with a header.
The goals kept coming in the second half, with two sublime but different strikes from Kitboklang – the first a beautiful left-footer that he is renowned for and the second a neat little push over the line following a through ball. Chesterpaul got his hat-trick goal five minutes later after going one-on-one with Mawlynrei goalkeeper Rihoklang Khongjoh and Hardy Cliff then scored just before being substituted. That was the sixth goal in the space of 23 minutes and there was one more to come, with young Gerrard scoring off a rebound after Khrawkupar Jana’s shot was blocked.
Earlier in the day, Mylliem Lum appeared to be the club more likely to score, with several near-misses in the first half, including two hits to the woodwork. Umlyngka then started to show more fighting spirit in the second half, with Donboklang Mawjaw glancing the crossbar with a header in the 56th minute. Samborlang got the breakthrough by meeting a well-time through ball and he only had to skip past Mylliem Lum goalie Baniaineh Kharkrang on his way to scoring.
Mylliem Lum tried to level the game and they came close in the 88th minute with two powerful strikes that were punched away successfully by Umlyngka keeper Babitlang Wahlang, which ensured his team claimed their first points.
Tomorrow, Laitkyrhong will take on Shillong Lajong in Group B at 1pm, followed by Langsning versus Meghalaya Police in Group A at 4:30pm. Laitkyrhong require at least a point to keep their semifinal hopes going, while the Langsning-MLP clash is a mega contest between the two best teams in Group A.
(Shillong Sports Association photo. Nongkseh’s Chesterpaul Lyngdoh (in white) watches as the ball goes past Mawlynrei goalkeeper Rihoklang Khongjoh for his hat-trick goal)
