SSA Champions Cup 2025
By Our Reporter
Shillong, Dec 10: Shillong Lajong easily defeated Meghalaya Police 2-0 in the second semifinal of the SSA Champions Cup 2025, which means fans will be treated to the final they would have wanted all along between Nongkseh and Lajong this Saturday.
Iohborlang L Lyngkhoi (41’) and Deibormame Tongper (50’) knocked MLP out with a goal on either side of half time for SLFC.
Nongkseh came through the first semifinal on penalties (4-3) against Langsning after extra time finished 2-2 on Tuesday.
Nongkseh and Lajong have already met in this tournament, as both were in Group B, and that meeting ended 1-1. Being the final, one club will definitely emerge the winner on Saturday and expectations are high for a ripping contest.
Lajong send MLP packing
Nister Roy Suting put in an excellent performance in front of goal for the police team but even he could do nothing about a relentless Lajong that found the mark on two occasions.
Nister denied Iohborlang and Babysunday Marngar before conceding four minutes from half time. A free-kick on the edge of the box was taken by set-piece go-to man Iohbor, who curled his shot above the wall of defenders. That left Nister to hurl himself in an attempt to punch the ball away but he could not get his glove to it.
Then, just minutes into the second half, Lajong’s Riborlang L Lyngkhoi found himself in plenty of space but his shot was blocked by Nister. However, the rebound fell in Deibormame’s path and he was able to convert the chance.
Despite having some strong attacking players, MLP never really looked like scoring.
The closest they came was in the 63rd minute when Everstarly Rynjah, inspired perhaps by Iohbor, tried a free-kick over the wall but his effort did not have the accuracy, though it did not miss by much.
For his goal, high level of play and for leading his team as captain, Iohbor was named the Hello Meghalaya Player of the Match and received his memento and cheque of Rs 5,000 from the former Chief Secretary of Meghalaya, DP Wahlang.
The final will take place on December 13 (Saturday) at 4:30pm. Lajong and Nongkseh packed out the SSA Stadium when they met in the group stage on December 4 and that fixture had all the hallmarks of a final – both sets of fans plus the neutrals who will be drawn to such a mouthwatering match will be hoping for another top-class performance as we are set to crown the first ever Champions of Champions.
