Shillong, Sep 2: Two fantastic Shillong Premier League 2026 matches were witnessed today, with Mawlai taking a sensational 1-0 win against Nongkseh while reigning champions Langsning obliterated Laitkor 6-1.
The evening kick-off at the SSA Stadium was the main event, with two-time champions Mawlai going up against the rising Nongkseh. Honours were even until the just before then end, when Damanbhalang Chyne (90’+5) sent in an awesome free-kick from the edge of the box to win the match and keep Mawlai at the top of the standings.
It was a completely different kind of entertainment in the early kick-off, as Langsning destroyed Laitkor 6-1. Mebanshngain Kurkalang (10’, 12’), Damonlang Pathaw (45’), Syed Ahmed (45’+4), Samuel L Kynshi (84’) and Rohan Manar (90’+4) scored for the defending champs and Hamingbert Nongbet (54’) for Laitkor. This match had been postponed from 28th August due to severe weather.
Nongkseh had been beaten 1-0 by Shillong Lajong last week and were seeking to get their maiden SPL campaign back on track, while Mawlai have been unbeaten so far and aimed to keep it that way.
Both sides crafted plenty of chances that kept the fans glued to the action throughout the 90 minutes.
From Mawlai’s side, Basuklang Bina had a good chance in just the eighth minute but his shot was marginally wide. Lovingstar Suting then struck the upright two minutes later and Robertson Khongriah had his effort deflected away by Kynsailang Khongsit, who brought his defensive experience to bear when it mattered most for Nongkseh.
Nongkseh upped the ante towards the end of the first half and Mawlai were defending for their lives but managed to hold on.
Nongkseh kept the pressure up in the early part of the second half too but, again, found no luck.
Later, Mawlai substitute Kevin Rymbai twice made contact with the crossbar, the first from distance with a powerful shot and the second after he tried to chip Nongkseh goalkeeper Daraphun Talang.
At the other end Nongkseh had more look-ins but Hardy Cliff Nongbri twice missed out. A cross from Mickyson Tangsong should have been put away but was totally scuffed while another cross by Kitboklang Pale saw Hardy make good contact but the ball was gathered by Mawlai custodian Lambhmiki Lamare.
The match boiled down to that fateful free-kick, which was earned after a Nongkseh player committed a poor tackle right on the edge of the box. Daman, the Mawlai captain, stepped up and chose to go for goal and it turned out to be the right decision.
Earlier, Mebanshngain flicked in a header for the opening Langsning goal before powering a second one a few minutes later. He could not complete the first half, however, as he picked up an injury and had to be substituted for Damonlang. It was he who scored Langsning’s third goal by tapping in a cross. The first half still had one more goal and here Damonlang was the provider, with his chip finished off by the unmarked Syed.
Laitkor were more competitive in the second half after making some attacking substitutions. One of the new introductions, Balajiedlang Lyngwa, headed a corner on target but this was denied by Langsning goalie Nister Roy Suting. However, the rebound went Hamingbert’s way and he made no mistake with his header.
The defending champions came back hard after this and, after a few missed chances, Samuel curled the ball over Laitkor keeper Deranius Wahlang after being set up by Rohan Manar and the two Langsning players switched roles later, with Samuel providing the assist for Rohan to score his third goal of the season.
In the standings Mawlai lead with 10 points, tied with Lajong but with the superior goal difference (+7 to +4). Langsning are third with 9 points. Nongkseh are down in sixth with 4 and Laitkor are eighth with 3 points.
Tomorrow, Sawmer will go up against Nangkiew Irat at 3:40PM. Sawmer have to bounce back from a 4-2 loss to Meghalaya Police the last time around, while Nangkiew Irat are riding high after winning their two most recent matches.
(Shillong Sports Association photo.Nongkseh in blue, Mawlai in yellow-green)