SSA Champions Cup 2025
By Our Reporter
Shillong, Dec 2: Shillong Lajong became the first team to qualify for the semifinals of the SSA Champions Cup 2025 after a 2-0 victory over nine-man Laitkyrhong at the SSA Stadium at First Ground, Polo, here on Tuesday.
After three rounds, SLFC have a full 9 points and lead Group B. Later, Langsning and Meghalaya Police played out a 1-1 draw in Group A. MLP lead Langsning in the points table based on goals scored (8 to 5) as both have the same number of points (7) and goal difference (+4).
Iohborlang L Lyngkhoi (69’) and Babysunday Marngar (74’) were the scorers for Lajong in what was their lowest-scoring match. Meanwhile, Everestarly Rynjah (12’) put MLP into the lead before Manbhalang Nongmin (30’) equalised for Langsning.
Laitkyrhong made Nongkseh work hard for a 1-0 win last week and they then defeated Mawkriah West 5-2, so they were looking to upset Lajong in order to keep their hopes for a semifinal berth alive. Lajong certainly found it tough going in the first half, though they had at least four attempts on goal, with Samchaphrang Lato missing the target with two long-range efforts, Babysunday dragging one wide from inside the box and Rimankhraw Kharumnuid getting closest with a powerful strike that was not too far above the crossbar.
Laitkyrhong goalkeeper Honesstar Khyriem produced a brilliant diving save to deny Lajong top scorer Riborlang L Lyngkhoi in the 59th minute but there was nothing he could do to prevent Iohborlang heading in a cross from Rimankhraw a little later.
At the other end, Laitkyrhong had few real opportunities to score, though Wallamsuk Nongkhlaw definitely tested SLFC keeper Wanteilang Malngiang in the 74th minute. The goalie gathered the ball cleanly and hoicked it up the pitch and, in the counterattack, Babysunday had plenty of space to pull off a strong shot and double Lajong’s lead.
The draw still leaves the possibility of a three-way tie in Group A, with Mawkasiang the hopefuls. They will be in action against Umlyngka on Wednesday at 1pm. Then, in Group B, Mawlynrei and Mawkriah West, both still searching for their first points, will clash at 4:30pm.
