Shillong, Dec 2: Shillong Lajong became the first team to qualify for the semifinals of the SSA Champions Cup 2025 after a 2-0 victory over nine-man Laitkyrhong at the SSA Stadium at First Ground, Polo, here today.
After three rounds, SLFC have a full 9 points and lead Group B. Later, Langsning and Meghalaya Police played out a 1-1 draw in Group A. MLP lead Langsning in the points table based on goals scored (8 to 5) as both have the same number of points (7) and goal difference (+4). The draw was enough for the police to also confirm their place in the semis.
Iohborlang L Lyngkhoi (69’) and Babysunday Marngar (74’) were the scorers for Lajong in what was their lowest-scoring match. Meanwhile, Everestarly Rynjah (12’) put MLP into the lead before Manbhalang Nongmin (30’) equalised for Langsning.
Laitkyrhong made Nongkseh work hard for a 1-0 win last week and they then defeated Mawkriah West 5-2, so they were looking to upset Lajong in order to keep their hopes for a semifinal berth alive.
Lajong certainly found it tough going in the first half, though they had at least four attempts on goal, with Samchaphrang Lato missing the target with two long-range efforts, Babysunday dragging one wide from inside the box and Rimankhraw Kharumnuid getting closest with a powerful strike that was not too far above the crossbar.
Laitkyrhong goalkeeper Honesstar Khyriem produced a brilliant diving save to deny Lajong top scorer Riborlang L Lyngkhoi in the 59th minute but there was nothing he could do to prevent Iohborlang heading in a cross from Rimankhraw a little later.
At the other end, Laitkyrhong had few real opportunities to score, though Wallamsuk Nongkhlaw definitely tested SLFC keeper Wanteilang Malngiang in the 74th minute. The goalie gathered the ball cleanly and hoicked it up the pitch and, in the counterattack, Babysunday had plenty of space to pull off a strong shot and double Lajong’s lead.
Laitkyrhong would go on to be reduced to nine men by the end of the match. The two players sent off – Restom Khriam and Dibinroy Nongspung – were two of the most experienced in the tournament and were taken on loan by Laitkyrhong for this event. Restom had words with the referee, leading to a direct red card, while Dibinroy copped two yellows and was also sent off.
Later, both Langsning and MLP came out looking to make an immediate impact and it was only in the 12th minute that Everestarly Rynjah claimed the lead for the police. Apborlang Kurbah bundled over MLP top scorer Pynshailang Lyngkhoi on the edge of the box and Everestarly perfectly placed his free-kick out of reach of Langsning custodian Rajat Paul Lyngdoh.
That happened to be the first goal Langsning conceded in nearly 200 minutes of this tournament. MLP, on the other hand, let in three before today and would go on to concede again, when Manbhalang equalised in the 30th minute from a corner. Incidentally, this was the 50th goal of the Champions Cup.
Other highlights of the game between the two titans saw Rapborlang Marwein force Rajat Paul into a glorious diving save in the 28th minute and Pynshai inexplicably hitting the crossbar from point-blank range just before half time. MLP looked more relaxed about a draw than Langsning and tried to slow the game down in the second half. Still, both sides came close on occasion, with Dajiedlang Wanshnong clipping a left-footed shot as cleanly as could be in the 86th minute only for Nister Suting to tip it over the crossbar.
The draw still leaves the possibility of a three-way tie in Group A, with Mawkasiang the hopefuls. They will be in action against Umlyngka tomorrow at 1PM. Then, in Group B, Mawlynrei and Mawkriah West, both still searching for their first points, will clash at 4:30PM.
(Shillong Sports Association photo. Langsning in red, Meghalaya Police in yellow-blue)
