We’re getting down to the wire now – just 4 teams still have a chance to win the SPL 2026 title and here Bhogtoram Mawroh assesses their chances…
By the end of today all the SPL teams will have played at least seven games, meaning that the champions will be determined over the next two rounds.
As things stand, there are four teams in contention for the trophy: two – Langsning and Mawlai – will have their fate in their own hands, while the other two – Nongkseh and Shillong Lajong – will hope for a mistake from the first two.
Much was expected from Nongkseh as they won the First Division 2025 easily, while Lajong have always been perennial challengers. Their victory over Mawlai in the last match of SPL 2024 to lift the trophy was memorable and highlighted how years of preparation can create teams that can outplay even the most experienced sides in the league. So, how is it that these two teams are hoping for favours from others?
Lajong would have been leading the table going into the last two rounds except for an inadvertent mistake by the coaching staff. According to the rules, only two players from outside the state are allowed in the playing XI at any point in time. But at one point Lajong had three in the game against Sawmer. I am completely in agreement with this rule as, without it, local players would find it difficult to get good playing time, which is very important for their development. The irony is that Lajong broke the rule in a match they were already winning 6-1. Instead, Sawmer were awarded a 3-0 win against Lajong. So, while Sawmer won the match on a technicality, the difference in quality between the two teams was immense.
Technically, Lajong are the best team in the league but the game against Sawmer also revealed a huge gap in physicality between the two teams. On many occasions, a simple ball behind was enough to put pressure on Sawmer’s defence, which looked slow and lethargic. And they are not the only ones. Even in the match against Mawlai, which ended in a draw, Lajong looked like the team that had more energy and greater technical ability than their opponents as the match was drawing to an end. This is the reason why many teams have always struggled against Lajong, not only because of their technical ability but because of their physical conditioning as well. There are only a few teams that can match them in this and Nongkseh are one of them.
Nongkseh started as one of the favourites at the beginning of the season. They had a very experienced squad and had got a new coach, Joseph Naik, who had previously done well in the league. But their chances were spoiled by two crucial defeats to their main rivals, 1-0 losses against both Lajong and Mawlai. In both games, Nongkseh were the better team. Against Mawlai they lost the match in stoppage time from a free-kick by Damanbhalang Chyne. Before the goal, Hardy Cliff Nongbri had scuffed a crucial chance to put Nongkseh in front and this is where the problem lies. The team is too dependent on Hardy to either create chances or score goals in crucial matches. When he fails to do either, it has cost the team dearly. The game against Rangdajied was another good example.
Until the first goal was scored, the game between Nongkseh and Rangdajied was a very tight affair. Rangdajied played with a very tight formation and did not allow much space to Nongkseh’s attackers. Both of Rangdajied’s full-backs, Balamlynti Khongjee and especially Franky Dkhar, like to come inside and play as inverted full backs. This is particularly so in the case of Franky, who moves from his left-back position to occupy the position of the deepest-lying midfielder, receiving the ball and moving it around. He can also switch play, which is a very handy ability to transfer the pressure onto the other team. Nongkseh, on the other hand, looked bereft of ideas and were trying too hard to break down their opponents’ defence by going long.
This was a surprising tactic because Nongkseh had the ability and the wherewithal to play around any defence and create chances. What they needed was a little patience and control in the game. Furthermore, the fact that Kitboklang Pale, a player of small stature, was playing up front made the long-ball tactic quite perplexing. Chesterpaul Lyngdoh came very close to opening the scoring, but Balamlynti’s goal-line clearance prevented a goal. Not surprisingly, the first half ended with both teams unable to get on the scoresheet. This was deeply concerning for Nongkseh, who could not afford to drop any points. They needed calmness and quality in the second half.
In the second half, the game was still very tight. Nongkseh were still trying to look for an opening and they finally found it in the 66th minute. A moment of calm possession was followed by a chipped ball from Hardy, a beautiful first touch by Dawanchwa Challam, who released a shot from his left foot that bounced in front of the goalkeeper and into the net. A very simple and elegant move made possible without the chaos of the first half. At the heart of it again was Hardy and this is also the problem. Nongkseh cannot keep relying on Hardy, the talisman that he is, especially considering they are looking to play in I-League 3, where they will need more options. This is particularly the case in the striking department, where they are now playing Kitboklang, who is playing the role of a false nine. There is no doubt about his class and the beautifully taken goal against Sawmer proved that he can be effective up front, but Kitboklang’s lack of physicality means that they need a different option as well. In an ideal scenario, I would always play him as a number 10 or just behind the striker, from where he can both strike and create chances for others. I am not sure the lone striker, even a withdrawn one, will be enough against physically stronger and more experienced defenders at the national level. And I have no doubt that, despite the huge number of goals they have scored – the second highest right now – a genuine striker would have made a difference for them in the tight games. I feel this is what could cost Nongkseh the championship.
As for the two teams that have their fate in their own hands, Mawlai have ridden their luck to still be in contention. They could have lost against Lajong, Nongkseh and Langsning but instead came out with a victory and two draws. In fact, they have the best defensive record in the league, conceding just one goal. Their centre-backs, Arkibor Makhroh and Arkini Laloo, are very comfortable with the ball and they both can bring the ball out from the back. Arkini is more of a passer and last season he was asked to play a lot of through balls, both low and high, to the attackers. This year, he is more circumspect and is less prone to making mistakes, which proved disastrous for the team last season.
Both their full-backs, Wadshwa Latoo and Jestibor Mawlong, are quite attacking, with Wadshwa sometimes being asked to play as a winger. I find Jestibor to be a very good player who reads the game very well, is good at defending and has a good eye for a pass. A right-footed player playing as the left-back is not very common. But the one player who played that position brilliantly was Philipp Lahm, who in the 2006 World Cup scored a screamer against Costa Rica in the opening game from the edge of the box.
But maybe the most impressive player in defence is Mawlai’s goalkeeper, Lambhamiki Lamare. Although he has been with Mawlai for a few seasons, I first really noticed him in I-League 3 and since then he has grown in stature. Very good with his feet and with decent distribution, his best attribute is that he does not always look to punch the ball but catches it. He has pulled off some outstanding saves and his body language is absolutely fantastic. I think he has a good career in front of him, provided he keeps his head down, continues working hard and becomes more mature. Maturity is something that has defined this Mawlai team this season.
After having been completely outplayed by Lajong in the SPL 2024 season-ender, where Lajong’s young brigade beat the more experienced Mawlai, something needed to change. So, the following season, they played with a very young squad. The team played with great energy and, when in flow, looked completely mesmerising. But what they were missing was maturity and the ability to control the game. The match that exemplified it was the classic game against Lajong, where Mawlai went into half time leading 3-0. However, their defence completely collapsed in the second half and they lost 4-3. Mawlai still had the chance to win the trophy if they had won their last game against Rangdajied but they failed to gain victory and Langsning instead won the trophy. Since then, their games against Lajong have been feisty, but it was the latter who again prevailed in the SSA Super Cup. Something had to change.
Hering Shangpliang’s team has always been known for a few things – pace, one-touch football and a strong work ethic. All of this was evident this season and sometimes the need to play one-touch football seemed like it had become a liability. This was clearly visible in I-League 3, when their insistence on attacking through the middle with one-touch football led to frustration as the moves kept breaking down. But when they come off, they are a treat to watch. The Bajiedlang Rangslang goal against Laitkor was a good example of that. It almost came off against MLP for Damanbhalang before he blasted the ball above the goalpost. I first noticed Hering’s obsession with one-touch football when he was coaching Malki, and a particular game against Lajong (if I remember correctly) where he almost outplayed them with this tactic, was quite memorable. But as the league has progressed, the players appear to have become more reserved and use this tactic only when the opportunity presents itself rather than as a default plan.
In terms of tactics as well, Mawlai have become quite flexible. They initially played with a back three against Langsning and switched to a back four in the second half. Instead of a fast-paced game against Lajong, they chose to play a highly tactical game where the intention was to give as few chances to the opposition as possible. But when they feel they can outrun the opposition they immediately go for a fast-paced game. So, they are changing their formation as well as their tactics based on the circumstances and it has worked till date. However, even though they may win their remaining two matches against Sawmer and Rangdajied, that may not be enough. While they have not conceded a lot, they have also not scored a lot. If one were to take away the game against Laitkor, they have scored only five goals in the last six matches, out of which they scored two each against Mylliem and MLP. The problem again is the lack of a genuine striker, with Fairming Suting, Basuklang Bina, Lovingstar Suting and even Damanbhalang having played in the position. Personally, I still feel that Mawlai are overachieving, considering the fact that they have a young team which is still growing together. They already have a solid core, but some pieces are missing, especially in the striker department, which has proven to be their Achilles’ heel, at least for this season.
Langsning, on the other hand, have no problem with strikers as they have Syed Ahmed and Monush Lapang. Syed’s physicality is really handy and though he may not score goals, his presence itself creates opportunities for other players. I was hoping he would kick on from his impressive Durand Cup campaign but he hasn’t scored as many goals as I had hoped. But goals have come from elsewhere, especially Mebanshngain Kurkalang, Rohan Manar and Samuel Phawa. They have a solid midfield and a quick winger in the form of Kyrmenskhem Mukhim, who has looked supremely confident after a very good Durand Cup. He is a highly confident player and is not afraid of taking on players and beating them through trickery and pace. The only complaint that one can have about his game is his final delivery, especially his crosses. If he can improve on that, he can take his game to the next level. But maybe the most impressive player for me has been Wallambok Dkhar, who has looked colossal in defence playing alongside a highly experienced Atlanson Kharmaw. I was really surprised in some games when I saw Mebanshngain playing in defence in place of Wallambok, which I think was a mistake. Wallambok must always play unless he is injured or one is looking to give the other centre-backs, like Lukas Syngkli, a chance. He needs the experience and the team needs him. As a team, they are the most complete team right now and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they win the next two games and, with it, the trophy. However, those two games are against Lajong and Nongkseh and they will test Khlain Pyrkhat Syiemlieh’s tactical acumen and his game management.
I just realised that Khlain had actually won both the SPL with Langsning and led Meghalaya Police to second in the SSA First Division last season. He was also the coach of Mawlai when they qualified for the First Division and won their first SPL trophy as well. Later, he coached Bodoland FC in the Durand Cup, where he took Wanboklang Lyngkhoi with him. For a long time, he was with Rangdajied and was actually the coach when they qualified for the I-League in 2013. He has also coached the state team multiple times and led the team to their only final of the Santosh Trophy, where they narrowly lost to Karnataka. If only the long-range shot of Ronaldkydon Lyngdoh Nonglait had not hit the crossbar, Meghalaya could very well have won the final. Along with Bobby L Nongbet and Hering Shangpliang, Khlain is among the elite coaches from the state and, hopefully, one day he will coach at the national level as well, maybe with Langsning in the future.
Khlain has already achieved a lot of milestones in his coaching career and the next two matches are going to be another test. A lot will depend on how he prepares his team to play against two clubs that are both technically good and have some very good players. It will all come down to tactics and maturity. Langsning lost the SSA Champions Cup against Nongkseh due to inexperience, but this time around, that is no longer the excuse. They have already brought in experienced players and this is their best shot at winning a fourth SPL title.
So, who will win the 2026 SPL trophy – Langsning, Mawlai, Nongkseh or Lajong? Whoever it is, they will have thoroughly deserved it and it will be the most deserved outcome of a most extraordinary season. I only wish there had been more matches. But perhaps that is what makes this season a reminder of just how much more exciting this league could become in the future.
(File photo)
