Shillong, Jul 29: Shillong Lajong squeaked through as 1-0 winners against Nangkiew Irat in Game 4 of the Shillong Premier League 2026 at the SSA Stadium here today.
In a match of two halves, Lajong had the upper hand in the first 45 minutes and scored through Deibormame Tongper (37′) but Nangkiew Irat challenged fiercely in the second half but could not find a way past the defences of their opponents.
Incidentally, this is the third match this season to finish 1-0, a testament to the highly competitive nature of SPL 2026.
The lively contest today began with former SLFC player Maxderidoff Wahlang heading wide for Nangkiew Irat in just the third minute.
Lajong controlled the action from then on and found the breakthrough in the 37th minute. Nangkiew Irat failed to clear a corner and Deibormame got his outstretched boot to the ball and scored low past opposition goalkeeper Surjay Kumar Pariyar.
The introduction of Wallamsuk Nongkhlaw, Justerwell Tham and new signing Yhoto Lohe in the second half sparked something in Nangkiew Irat and they were relentless in pressing Lajong.
Wallam got two chances to score in the first four minutes and he then headed a cross wide in the 56th.
Ten minutes after that Yhoto hit the upright with a thunderous strike and 60 seconds later he was marginally wide of the mark. Then, in the 72nd minute, Justerwell was given enough space for a powerful shot of his own that hit the woodwork too; a few inches in the other direction and Nangkiew Irat could well have won the match.
It was clear that SLFC were getting disorganised at the back and it is fair to say that keeper Lakpa Lama did not have the best of days, though he was still able to maintain a clean sheet.
The custodian had the ball stolen from him under 10 minutes from the final whistle and almost conceded and then in the 90th minute he failed to punch away a corner; luckily for Lajong Lakpa had blindsided Yhote behind him and the ball went wide after connecting with the Nangkiew Irat player’s body.
Tomorrow will witness the last match of Round 1, with Mawlai set to face Laitkor at 4pm. Mawlai were SPL champions in 2022 and 2023 and then runners-up in 2024. Last year saw them drop to third place and they have a lot of rebuilding to do in order to get back to the top in what is a very competitive season. Laitkor, meanwhile, have an even bigger mountain to climb as they were seventh in 2025.
