Shillong, Aug 13:Â Shillong Lajong FC booked their place in the quarterfinals of the Durand Cup 2026 as they played out a thrilling 3-3 draw with Langsning FC in the final Group E fixture at the JN Stadium here today.
The result was enough to see Lajong finish top of the group with 7 points, despite a spirited performance from Langsning, who ended their campaign second in Group E on 5.
All six group winners plus the two best second-placed teams will qualify for the next round.
The match was made all the more interesting because of Jamshedpur FC’s ferocious 6-0 victory against Indian Air Force in Group C earlier in the day. This result meant that there was no way Lajong could finish as one of the two second-best teams if they lost to Langsning. The equation was thus simple – a win for Langsning would take them to the quarterfinals while Lajong needed a draw and that is exactly what happened.
Joao Vitor de Paula Morais (Jota) struck twice for SLFC, in the 26th and 30th minutes, before Everbrighton Mylliempdah (83′) added a third late on. Langsning, who fought back valiantly, found the net through Kyrmenskhem Mukhim (49′), Wadajied Kynsai Ryngkhlem (63′) and Syed Ahmed (90’+1).
The result also confirmed East Bengal and Jamshedpur FC’s place in the quarterfinals as the two best second-placed teams across the tournament, courtesy of a superior goal difference record.
Lajong signalled their intent inside the opening 30 seconds, winning an early free-kick that Phrangki Buam whipped dangerously into the box, only for Langsning to scramble the danger clear.
The chances continued to arrive at both ends. Jota tested Langsning goalkeeper Rajat Paul Lyngdoh from outside the box in the fifth minute, the effort straight enough for the custodian to hold after an initial spill. Langsning responded through a goalmouth scramble in the eighth minute, Chusrang Sangma’s long throw cannoning off the crossbar before Shillong Lajong cleared their lines.
Lajong came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 13th minute, Everbrightson squaring the ball across an unguarded goal for Abhay Gurung, who could not quite make the contact required.
Langsning had opportunities of their own. Chusrang’s low strike was well blocked by defender Joedson Dos Santos in the 18th minute and a second effort from distance 5 minutes later was comfortably held by Lajong goalkeeper Ranit Sarkar.
The deadlock broke in the 26th minute, born of a defensive mix-up. Joedson’s attempted line-breaking pass towards Jota was intercepted by Langsning captain Atlanson Kharmaw, only for the ball to squirm loose and fall straight into Jota’s path. With space opening up ahead of him, Jota drove into the box and slotted home calmly.
SLFC doubled their advantage four minutes later, and the second goal carried real quality. Sana produced an inventive backheel under pressure to release Jota, who danced past his marker with a couple of stepovers before finding the far corner.
To their credit, Langsning did not retreat. Their approach remained committed even at two goals down, understanding that only victory would secure their own passage to the quarter-finals. Syed forced a smart save from Ranit in the 37th minute and Kyrmenskhem headed over from close range four minutes later after Chusrang’s long throw had picked him out unmarked.
Langsning’s first goal arrived after Chusrang’s delivery from the left found Kyrmen unmarked and the forward headed home from close range to halve the deficit in the 49th minute.
The goal visibly unsettled the momentum of the contest, Langsning surging forward in search of an equaliser while Lajong found themselves increasingly camped in their own half. That pressure told in the 63rd minute, Kyrmen showing composure to leave a crossfield pass for Denelson Pyngrope, whose cross was met by Wadajied’s towering header to level the scores.
Lajong searched for a response of their own, Phrangki beating his marker to work an opening in the box in the 69th minute, only for Rajat Paul to block his attempted cutback. Both sides continued to trade chances through an increasingly open contest, each committed to finding a winner rather than settling for the point that would, in Lajong’s case, have been enough regardless.
The breakthrough eventually arrived in the 83rd minute, and it was a fine team goal. Captain Kenstar Kharshong’s cross from the left found Everbrightson unmarked at the far post, his header beating Rajat Paul at the near post to restore Shillong Lajong’s lead.
Langsning refused to yield. In the first minute of second-half stoppage time, a short corner routine led to a cross from the right that Shillong Lajong failed to clear and Syed rose at the back post to head home the equaliser and complete a memorable fightback.
There was no further twist to come. Lajong held firm through the closing stages to see out the point that confirmed their place at the top of Group E, while Langsning’s brave pursuit of a winning goal ultimately went unrewarded.
(Durand Cup photo)
