SPL 2026: Meghalaya Police stun defending champs Langsning

Shillong, Aug 18: Meghalaya Police registered the first major upset of the Shillong Premier League 2026 with a 2-1 victory against reigning champions Langsning at the SSA Stadium here today.

Rapborlang Marwein (44’) scored in the first half and he assisted in the second goal by Aldrin Ramsiej (89’). Rohan Manar (90’+3) kept Langsning in the hunt until the end but his team could not find another goal.

It was a long time since their first round matches but both teams made changes to their starting lineups. For MLP, Niawkorlang Kyndiah and Balmingstar Lyngkhoi were included in place of Pynshailang L Lyngkhoi and Bisharlang Kharumnuid. For Langsning there were four changes – Nister Roy Suting, Richie Kharbani, Chusrang Sangma and Samuel Phawa were in for Rajat Paul Lyngdoh, Wallambok Dkhar, Rohan and Dibormi Kassar.

Langsning, a few days on from their exit in the Durand Cup 2026, were circumspect during the first half and only really had two chances, with a 32nd minute header from Richie Kharbani going wide. A minute later Richie was denied by MLP goalkeeper Eveningstar Bareh.

Otherwise it was the police who were more attacking in the first 45 minutes and they went into the break with the lead after a Rapborlang free-kick from the left flank bounced into the box and went straight into the net, as Langsning keeper Nister was blindsided by a teammate who tried (and failed) to clear the ball.

On any other day MLP might have been expected to try and shield their one goal advantage but not today. In the 48th minute Rapborlang and Everestarly Rynjah combined well, with the latter flicking the ball on for the former but Rapbor went too deep on the right and that allowed a defender to get back in time to cut off his shot.

Syed Ahmed, who scored four goals for Langsning in the Durand Cup, was kept quiet today. The tall striker had one good chance with a header in the second half that was gathered by Eveningstar. There were missed chances for both teams after that – Mebanshngain Kurkalang flew in to head a cross by Kyrmenskhem Mukhim but it went into the stands. MLP’s Pynshaidor Nongrang also missed a golden opportunity after the ball was gifted to him by the Langsning defence.

Right at the death, Rapborlang broke forwards and was alone with three defenders. Aldrin popped onto the scene up the left unnoticed and Rap passed him the ball, which he struck past Nister.

MLP were unable to keep a clean sheet, however, as Langsning substitute Rohan scored low but, while this kept the title holders in the hunt, there were no more goals and MLP walked away with the win, their first of the season after a 1-1 draw in the opener against Rangdajied United. Now with 4 points, the cops lead the standings, while Langsning are one of six teams on 3 points, which they earned from a 1-0 win against Sawmer in the season opening fixture.

Tomorrow, Nangkiew Irat will take on Nongkseh at 4PM. They were each involved in a 1-0 match in the first round – Nongkseh defeated Mylliem by that scoreline on 27th July while Nangkiew Irat lost to Shillong Lajong on 29th July.