By Our Reporter
Shillong, Sep 9: An intense last match of Round 4 of the Shillong Premier League 2025 ended 1-1 between Mylliem and defending champions Shillong Lajong at the SSA Stadium at First Ground, Polo, here on Tuesday.
Remark Kharmalki (41’) scored first for Mylliem in the first half before Iohborlang L Lyngkhoi (76’) equalised for Shillong Lajong in the second 45 minutes.
Lajong were chasing victory to move to the top of the points table but were foiled by a Mylliem defence that demonstrated remarkable resolve to stop the Lajong attack.
Instead, Lajong ended the round in third place on 8 points, with Nangkiew Irat maintaining their lead at the top with 10. Mawlai are second with 9. Mylliem, meanwhile, are right in the middle of the table in fifth place with 5 points.
A long ball towards Remark Kharmalki saw the former SLFC player get to it by racing at high speed. Lakpa Lama came out of goal, limbs outstretched, but Remark aimed the ball past the Lajong goalkeeper. This happened to be the first goal the defending champions have conceded in four games this season.
Other highlights from the first half saw Mebanaibok Kharbudnah crack the upright in the 28th minute for Lajong. Due to several stoppages because of injuries to Mylliem players, the fourth official signalled six minutes of stoppage time and in one of these Lajong had a sustained move forwards, with the ball falling to Ricky Kharkongor to take the shot but it was just wide. A last bit of action then saw Deibormame Tongper force Mylliem keeper Rihoklang Khongjoh into a diving save.
Switching ends, Lajong were exceptionally dangerous from the flanks and through corners and free-kicks that they won, with Mylliem’s defenders Milancy Khongstia, Wanpynshngain Nongsteng and company working overtime. Samchaphrang Lato glanced the crossbar with one such free-kick on the hour mark, while Emanbha Marbaniang had a couple of attempts just go wide. In the end it came down to captain Iohborlang, who headed in a Samchaphrang corner at the far post.
Several more stoppages, many of them lengthy, for injuries to Mylliem players broke up the flow of the game, which may have put off Lajong as well.
For their part, Mylliem continued to rely on the blistering pace of Remark and Alem Khongwir up front. Remark may have been guilty of being a little selfish when, during a counterattack, he should have passed for the open Alem but instead took a wayward shot of his own in the 62nd minute.
Lajong also twice handed the ball to Remark in an attempt to avoid conceding corners but the first occasion saw Remark strike wide, while the second saw him pass to Alem, whose own shot was blocked by a defender who ran back in time.
Mylliem were clearly the happier team when the final whistle blew as they savoured a hard-earned point against SLFC.
The fifth round of SPL 2025 will begin on Wednesday with Sawmer taking on Rangdajied United at 4:30pm.