Shillong, Dec 9: The SSA Champions Cup 2025 was taken to another level tonight after Nongkseh edged 10-man Langsning 4-3 in a tiebreaker after extra time in the first semifinal finished 2-2 in one of the most gripping matches held at the SSA Stadium in many years.
Nongkseh thus became the first team through to the final of the Champions Cup and they will meet either Shillong Lajong or Meghalaya Police in the title match. Lajong and MLP will clash in the second semi tomorrow at 4:30PM.
To win, Nongkseh first had to recover from the shock of going two goals behind in just 17 minutes, courtesy Langsning’s danger men, Donlad Diengdoh (3′) and Dajiedlang Wanshnong (17′). Langsning were not able to go defensive so quickly in the game and Nongkseh fired back through Mebankhraw Wahlang (21′) and Kynsaibor Lhuid (30′).
A sensational first half hour gave the thousands of fans a lot to process but there was no let-up in the action after that, even if neither side was able to find a goal again.
Nongkseh did not know what hit them when Donlad’s flying header met a free-kick from Atlanson Kharmaw. They were then doubly disadvantaged when Dajiedlang got a touch on the ball from a delivery into the box by long throw-in expert Chusrang Sangma to make it 2-0.
Langsning’s fans may have been outnumbered by those of Nongkseh but they made their presence felt after this. Credit has to go to Nongkseh, however, for not giving up. They knew they had plenty of time left and they immediately set about clawing their way back.
They started when Mebankhraw came up into the opposition box for a free-kick and it was the tall defender who rose above his marker to head in the ball. Then, less than 10 minutes later, a long-range shot from Hardy Cliff Nongbri was deflected into the path of Kynsaibor, who unleashed one of his characteristically powerful shots into the back of the net.
The tempo was maintained to the half time whistle and then the teams were at it again in the second half, though without scoring further. Such was the intensity of the contest, it was no surprise that several players went into the referee’s book but Apborlang Kurbah found himself going in twice and the Langsning defender was subsequently sent off.
Still Langsning looked to take the attack to Nongkseh but it was the latter’s Hardy Cliff who had the best of the opportunities late in the second half with a free-kick from a good range that rattled the woodwork.
Half an hour of extra time could not break the deadlock and the game went to penalties. Here both goalkeepers – Daraphun Talang of Nongkseh and Rajat Paul Lyngdoh of Langsning – each made a save but it was Nongkseh and their incredible fans who were able to celebrate as the last kick, from a Langsning player, cannoned into the crossbar and failed to cross the line.
Amid the celebrations, Kynsaibor was named the Hello Meghalaya Player of the Match and received his memento and cheque of Rs 5,000 from Adviser to the Meghalaya Government M Ampareen Lyngdoh MLA.
Another two teams will do it all over again tomorrow. Lajong qualified at the top of Group B, while MLP were runners-up in Group A. Both teams won three and drew one of their group games and if today was anything to go by, the fans will have plenty to be thrilled about tomorrow. Kick-off will once again be at 4:30PM at the SSA Stadium.
(Shillong Sports Association photo. Nongkseh’s goalkeeper Daraphun Talang reacts after blocking a penalty kick)
