Shillong, Oct 6: Nangkiew Irat and Meghalaya Police played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in the Shillong Premier League 2026 at the SSA Stadium here today.
Three goals were scored in the first quarter of the match, with Everestarly Rynjah (12′) and Rapborlang Marwein (21′) scoring for MLP and Yhoto Lohe (13′) for Nangkiew Irat. Neblejohn Lyngdoh (85′) headed in the second equaliser just a few minutes from the end.
This was the last match of Nangkiew Irat’s this season and it should be enough for them to avoid relegation, though they will have to wait to see how the last few games pan out. They stay in eighth place with 9 points, tied with Sawmer, but they will not qualify for the upcoming SSA Super Cup, which is open to the Top 6 SPL teams.
MLP, meanwhile, moved to fifth place with 11 points and have a game to go.
A chipped ball forwards led to Everestarly getting through the defence to score from close range. However, the police let their guard down at the restart, with Nangkiew Irat winning a corner after some lovely work by Jefferson Pakyntein. The corner was flicked in expertly by Yhoto to level the scores.
Rapborlang restored MLP’s lead a few minutes later with a long-range strike and Nangkiew Irat maintained their interest in the contest, with Nikelson Bina later forcing MLP goalkeeper Eveningstar Bareh into a fingertip save. Edyvenson Dhar then thought he had equalised for Nangkiew but he was found to have been offside.
In the second half MLP were on the defensive from the beginning, not through choice but because Nangkiew Irat continuously made attacking moves. However, the police managed to resist these moves and the game was on a more level keel when Neble came in and headed a cross into the back of the net and this proved to be the last goal of the game.
Tomorrow, title contenders Mawlai will face sixth-placed Rangdajied United at 3PM. A win for Mawlai and they will lift the title.
(Shillong Sports Association photo. Nangkiew Irat in red, Meghalaya Police in green)