Shillong, Nov 29: Meghalaya Police battled hard but came through against Mawkasiang 3-2 in Group A of the SSA Champions Cup 2025 at the SSA Stadium at First Ground, Polo, here today.
Mawkasiang took the lead through Robertson Khongriah (34′) but MLP came back at that with the unstoppable Pynshailang Lyngkhoi (47′, 53′). Jonathan Kharbani (64′) then equalised for Mawkasiang before Everywell Khongjee (81’) produced what turned out to be the winning goal. The police were reduced to 10 men straight after that with Niawkorlang Kyndiah receiving a second yellow card but MLP were able to hold on to their slender lead until the final whistle.
On the face of it MLP should not have had such a problem today as Mawkasiang were in the U-20 Fourth Division (which they won) this year, while MLP’s ranks are filled with very experienced players who lost just one game in the First Diviison 2025. However, Mawkasiang took advantage of their youthfulness with fast, attacking football. The five players taken on loan by the club for the Champions Cup are all from Shillong Premier League title contenders Mawlai, so they are not only good quality but know how to play as a unit. The final factor was that the police were involved in a taxing match against Umlyngka just two days ago and may have been feeling the effects.
Pynshailang scored four goals in that match and he added a brace today to take his tally to 6 in two games, tied with Shillong Lajong’s Riborlang L Lyngkhoi.
The Umlyngka fixture also saw the cops concede in the first half before making a comeback in the second.
Today, Niawkorlang knocked over Kyrmenskhem Mukhim (incident pictured) on the edge of the box and Robertson struck a blistering free-kick that beat MLP goalkeeper Basuklang Nongsiej.
Basuklang would later be the victim of a heavy knock to the head, not by an opponent but by one of his own team mates, Pynche Tyngkan, as both rushed towards the ball while it was close to the goal mouth. Thankfully, the custodian was able to carry on following some on-field treatment.
After a breather in the dressing room and good talking-to by coach Bestar Pariong, MLP came out a changed side in the second half, with Pynshailang cracking a right-footer less than 2 minutes after the restart. His second goal resulted from Mawkasiang giving Aldrin Ramsiej too much space to move freely on the right flank and the MLP captain crossed the ball for Pynshai to tap in.
Mawkasiang, who drew their opening match against Mylliem Lum, demonstrated that they could fight back as well, with Jonathan unleashing a powerful shot from the right flank to pull the two sides level once again. However, Everywell struck the winning goal out of the blue, with his left-footer clipping the upright before going in.
Niawkorlang’s second yellow card offence was unhelpful to the police’s cause but they hung on for dear life until the end of what was easily the best match of the Champions Cup so far.
Victory means that MLP went to the top of the Group A standings with 6 points. They are tied with Langsning on points and goal difference (+4 each) but the cops have scored more goals (7 to 4). Mawkasiang and Mylliem have 1 point each while Umlyngka are still on 0.
The Champions Cup will return on Monday with two fixtures. In Group A Umlyngka will face Mylliem Lum at 1PM followed by Nongkseh against Mawlynrei at 4:30PM in Group B.
(Shillong Sports Association photo. Meghalaya Police in yellow-blue, Mawkasiang in black)
