Shillong, Dec 13: The script had everything a football fan could want – two very different teams with different approaches; one with years of success, the other looking to challenge the best; both unbeaten throughout the season; a goal in under 30 minutes and then the comeback with not one but two last-gasp strikes: an equaliser in second half stoppage time and the winner at the end of extra time. The spectators – and what a crowd it was – lapped it up.
Both sides were supported to the hilt (estimates of 10,000-12,000 fans were given to us) but there could be only one winner and it turned out to be Nongkseh, who overturned a one goal deficit to beat Shillong Lajong 2-1 in the final of the SSA Champions Cup 2025 at the SSA Stadium at First Ground, Polo, here on Saturday evening.
Babysunday Marngar (27′) scored first for Lajong, courtesy a mistake from Banpynkhrawnam Nongkhlaw, whose attempt at a clearance sent the ball straight to Baby’s feet. Kynsaibor Lhuid (90’+4) equalised before Hardy Cliff Nongbri (120′) produced the winner.
Lajong seemed to be able to read Nongkseh like a book in the first half – their level of anticipation was unmatched and they could predict almost every move by their opponents.
What changed things was the introduction of Shano Tariang in the second half by coach Richard Nongneng. Shano has, if memory serves, not been used at all in the Champions Cup, perhaps due to fitness reasons. But his assertive presence enabled Nongkseh to control the midfield and led to more attempts being made on goal. It was only the brilliance of Wanteilang Malngiang that kept Lajong’s nose out in front, with the goalkeeper producing at least three top notch saves to keep Nongkseh at bay.
SLFC slowed the game down as one would expect – the physio seemed to be the busiest person on the pitch. But the fourth official compensated for this with 8 minutes of stoppage time. It was in the middle of this period that Kynsaibor equalised. He has a way of producing goals – the way he whips his leg through the ball is a characteristic special to himself. Kynsai scored in Nongkseh’s draw with Lajong in the group stage and he also produced the equaliser in the comeback win against Langsning in the semifinals.
His goal tonight, scored in front of the stand that was reserved for Nongkseh’s fans, took the game to extra time. Here Nongkseh could have taken the lead through Khrawkupar Jana but he hooked the ball into the gallery from close. Hardy was also denied by a diving Wanteilang. Lajong were feeling the pressure, though, and for Samchaphrang Lato it proved too much; he lashed out at Micky Sonroy Tangsang after the latter went to ground and the Lajong player was sent off with a second yellow card.
The remaining four minutes were played by SLFC with a man short. Whether that proved consequential, we’ll never know. It was almost time for a tiebreaker when Kynsai passed the ball to Shano, who either made an attempt on goal or sent a sharp pass on to Hardy. The Nongkseh captain then took the ball away from the Lajong defenders and scored off balance, sending the ball low across the surface and out of reach of Wanteilang.
Hardy was down and needed treatment (it was now Nongkseh’s turn to waste time) after that and the final whistle blew minutes later. With it, Lajong’s 16-match unbeaten streak came to an end, while Nongkseh have taken theirs to 15 in SSA competitions this season.
If the club hold on to top talent, they should be a formidable force next year in the Shillong Premier League (for which they have gained promotion by winning the First Division 2025) and their unbeaten run could continue for some time to come. The reign of the Big Three – Lajong, Langsning and Mawlai – could very well be at an end.
Cynics might criticise Nongkseh for buying good players rather than developing them in-house but that is neither here nor there in modern football. They have assembled a top quality team and the results speak for themselves.
At the prize distribution ceremony, where Sports & Youth Affairs Minister Wailadmiki Shylla was the chief guest, Kynsaibor was named the Hello Meghalaya Player of the Final. There were three joint Top Scorers and Riborlang L Lyngkhoi (6 goals) of Lajong was the only one present to pick up his award. Donlad Diengdoh (Langsning) and Pynshailang Lyngkhoi (Meghalaya Police) were the others with 6 goals each.
As champions, Nongkseh received a gorgeous trophy and cheque of Rs 8 lakh, while SLFC took home Rs 4 lakh as runners-up. This makes the Champions Cup one of the most financially rewarding football tournaments in the whole state.
The new tournament was organised by the Shillong Sports Association, bringing together the champions and runners-up from its five men’s divisions of 2025. Teams from the Second, Third and Fourth Divisions were each permitted to take five players on loan to bolster their squads against the firepower of the Shillong Premier League and First Division teams and this gave the players in the lower divisions ample scope to gain match experience playing among and against some of the best footballers in the state. It also gave us viewing the action plenty to talk about. Although it has just been one year, the Champions Cup looks to have been a major success.
(Shillong Sports Association photo)
