Shillong, Oct 9: Meghalaya Police ensured that they will be in the upcoming SSA Super Cup after they defeated Laitkor 2-1 on the penultimate day of the Shillong Premier League 2026 at the SSA Stadium here today.
Everestarly Rynjah (41’, 69’) scored a brace for MLP and Shelbilkstar Kharshilot (90’+2) a late one for Laitkor.
The police, now with 14 points, reclaimed fifth place from Sawmer (12 points), which is not a bad result for their first season back in the SPL since 2018. Laitkor, though they gave it their all, could only finish in ninth position with 6 points and they will be relegated to the First Division next year along with bottom-placed Mylliem.
Although they knew that they could not escape the drop zone even before today’s game, Laitkor played entertaining and attacking football. They put plenty of balls into the area but converting these chances did not come through.
In the 34th minute Kitdor Kharphuli played a through ball looking for Samborwell Mynsong to flick the ball in. It was unclear if the latter got a touch on it or not but the ball came off the post.
MLP had the breakthrough six minutes later when Rapborlang Marwein crossed the ball in and Everest volleyed on the run.
Although there was heavy rain throughout, the level of competition did not disappoint. Bisharlang Kharumnuid hit the woodwork with a free-kick 10 minutes into the second half and Marbiangki Suchiang missed the rebound.
Everest headed in his second goal, which came via a cross from the left flank this time. Still, Laitkor did not ease up on their determination to celebrate something from what has been a very challenging season.
Gerald Kharbyngar and Samuel Suting both had shots but these were wide. Shelbilkstar finally got the reward his team deserved when he sent in an attempt that went in off the post. That left things a little precarious for MLP and they almost conceded another when Eddiesius Kharkongor delivered a blistering shot that skidded along the wet surface but police goalkeeper Eveningstar Bareh made a fine save to gather the ball low to his right.
Tomorrow will be the final day of the SPL 2026 and these matches will decide the final order of the top half of the league, which will have consequences not only for the upcoming SSA Super Cup (featuring the Top 6 from the SPL) but also the later SSA Champions Cup (with the Top 2 from each of level in the SSA football pyramid).
At 1PM second-placed Shillong Lajong will face seventh-placed Rangdajied United. A win for Lajong will confirm their place as runners-up no matter what happens in the second game – that, though not for the title, will be a mega clash between Nongkseh and Langsning at 4:30PM. This will be a repeat of the Meghalaya State League final from June, though the two clubs are third and fourth respectively in the league table at the moment.
(Shillong Sports Association photo. Meghalaya Police players celebrate after Everestarly Rynjah (right) scored his second goal)