Shillong, Aug 19: Nangkiew Irat and Nongkseh played out an engaging but tense 1-1 draw in their Shillong Premier League 2026 match at the SSA Stadium here today.
Both teams were involved in a 1-0 match in the first round – Nongkseh defeated Mylliem by that scoreline on 27th July while Nangkiew Irat lost to Shillong Lajong on 29th July.
Nangkiew Irat made only two changes from the starting lineup in that game – Yhoto Lohe and Wallamsuk Nongkhlaw came in for Sangti Janai Shianglong and Shrikant Gadaba. Nongkseh, however, made seven changes, with several key players getting a rest following the club’s Durand Cup campaign. In were Kynsailang Khongsit, Aenam G Jyrwa, Dawanchwa C Challam, Banraplang Pyngrope, Kitboklang Pale, Daraphun Talang and Mebankhraw Wahlang and out went Banskhemlang Mawlong, Banpynkhrawnam Nongkhlaw, Sheen S Sohktung, Hardy Cliff Nongbri, Arlangky Nongsiej, Kynsaibor Lhuid and Guidle Syiemlieh.
Nangkiew Irat had a start they could have only dreamed about when Wallamsuk Nongkhlaw capitalised on a sleepy Nongkseh defence to pass to the ever impressive Jefferson, who calmly tapped in low past goalkeeper Daraphun.
Nongkseh won an extraordinary number of corners during the first half as they piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser. Not all were the result of pressure, however, as Nangkiew Irat goalie Surjay Kumar Pariyar was guilty of taking too long for one goal kick, which referee Guarishful Marwein rightly punished him for by awarding Nongkseh a corner.
None of these set-pieces were capitalised on by Nongkseh, though, with the equaliser coming through open play. A cross from the right flank by Kynsailang saw Nangkiew Irat flap around trying to clear it and Kitboklang pounced on the chance and scored.
It was almost all Nongkseh in the second half and the contest became tense as the minutes wore on, so desperate were Nangkiew Irat for at least a point, while Nongkseh wanted nothing less than victory.
Nongkseh had a prime chance in the 50th minute when they won a free-kick deep inside Nangkiew Irat territory. Taken by Shano Tariang, Dawanchwa let it go through his legs for Mebankhraw to take a shot from close range but he smacked it over the crossbar.
Surjay almost cost Nangkiew Irat a goal a few minutes later when he was indecisive in dealing with a cross from the left but a lurking Nongkseh player failed to get a touch on the ball. Surjay would more than make up for this slip up when he made a couple of saves in stoppage time to keep the opposition at bay.
Nongkseh talisman Chesterpaul Lyngdoh was in the thick of the action throughout and he had a couple of chances around the hour mark, skimming the bar with the first while an acrobatic volley went over the target.
The final bit of action saw Dawanchwa go inches wide of the mark with a header in the seventh minute of stoppage time.
Nongkseh are now second in the standings with 4 points while Nangkiew Irat are now off the mark with 1 though still close to the bottom of the table.
The next match will take place on Friday between Mawlai and Shillong Lajong at 6pm. Both teams won their opening fixtures, with Mawlai trouncing Laitkor 5-0 on 30 July and Lajong pipping Nangkiew Irat 1-0 the day before.
(Shillong Sports Association photo. Nangkiew Irat’s Jefferson Pakyntein celebrates after scoring)