Shillong, Nov 7: Rangdajied United powered into the final of the inaugural SSA Super Cup 2025 with a 2-0 victory against Langsning in the first semifinal at the SSA Stadium at First Ground, Polo, here this evening.
Stephanson Pale (42′, 90’+1) scored at the tail end of each half to sink the Shillong Premier League 2025 champions Langsning.
The new SSA Super Cup, organised by the Shillong Sports Association, adds another level of competition and excitement for fans of the game, with the Top 6 from the SPL 2025 battling it out in knockout tournament. Langsning, as SPL champions, and runners-up Shillong Lajong were given direct spots in the semifinals, while Rangdajied and Mawlai had to come through playoffs to reach the last-four. Rangdajied destroyed Nangkiew Irat 3-0 in the first playoff on 31st October before Mawlai sneaked past Sawmer 5-4 on penalties the next day in a thriller that was deadlocked 3-3 after extra time.
Stephanson’s first goal took a heavy deflection off Langsning defender Apborlang Kurbah. This came just a few minutes before he had fired one from a similar position over the crossbar.
The first half had Rangdajied goalkeeper Meshan Banjop Sumer called on to make several saves. In the 35th minute Meshan saved the first attempt off a corner and quickly gathered his wits to block the rebound. Just after the opening goal Langsning launched a counterattack and Nikelson Bina went one-on-one with the advancing keeper. Nikelson didn’t do enough with the ball and struck it straight to the custodian, who had his body behind the ball. In stoppage time Meshan punched away a free-kick from Dajiedlang Wanshnong to ensure his team held the lead going into the break.
Langsning created a tremendous number of chances in the second half but their final touch was lacking, even when they made attacking substitutions, such as bringing on Donlad Diengdoh and Samuel Phawa.
Into second half stoppage time and on a counterattack, Stephanson produced a brilliant display of footwork to create space away from a defender and he unleashed a right-footer that beat Langsning goalkeeper Rajat Paul Lyngdoh and that sealed the match in Rangdajied’s favour.
On Saturday Lajong and Mawlai will face off in the second semifinal. Kick-off will be at 5PM. Lajong were undefeated in SPL 2025 but won only five times, with four draws costing them the title. One of their fantastic wins came against Mawlai on 1st October. In that match Mawlai were leading 3-0 only for Lajong to dramatically swing things around to take the match 4-3 in sensational style.
(Shillong Sports Association photo. Langsning in red, Rangdajied United in blue)
