SSA Champions Cup 2025
Shillong, Nov 28: A rampaging Shillong Lajong dealt a rough 8-0 blow against Mawlynrei in the SSA Champions Cup 2025, with a second consecutive hat-trick for Riborlang L Lyngkhoi at the SSA Stadium at First Ground, Polo, here on Friday.
Later, also in Group B, Laitkyrhong were down a goal but fought back for a 5-2 win against Mawkriah West.
Riborlang (37’, 44’, 55’), Emanbha Marbaniang (13’, 61’), Deibormame Tongper (65’, 89’) and Babysunday Marngar (73’) were Lajong’s scorers in another stomping win that eclipsed their 6-0 result versus Mawkriah West earlier in the week. Riborlang had also scored a treble then and he is the tournament’s top scorer with 6 goals at present.
Laitkyrhong scored through Wallamsuk Nongkhlaw (24’, 62’), Learningstar Warlarpih (30’, 84’) and Dibinroy Nongspung (54’), while Mawkriah West found the back of the net twice with Dibarson Kharbudnah (11’) and Enestar Malngiang (63’).
Emanbha set the tone early with a beautiful curling free-kick for Lajong’s first goal. Mawlynrei, runners-up in the Fourth Division and playing their first game of the Champions Cup, were out of their depth, even with the five more experienced players on loan that the lower division teams are allowed to take on for this tournament.
Still, Mawlynrei thought they might have had the equaliser just five minutes later but it was overruled for offside. Rihoklang Khongjoh, Mawlynrei’s goalkeeper taken on loan from Mylliem, blocked a shot in the 37th minute but Ribor scored from the rebound. He then created space in the box on the cusp of half time to net his second goal of the day.
This hat-trick goal came early in the second half when he was fed a through ball that he had to thread past the advancing Rihoklang. Then was Emanbha’s turn to score his second as he steamed up the left flank to whack in a cross.
