Shillong, Sep 10: The Shillong Premier League 2026 delivered another exciting contest as Rangdajied United came from behind at half time to beat Laitkor 3-1 for their first win of the season at the SSA Stadium here today.
Hamingbert Nongbet (32’) scored first for Laitkor before Rangdajied fought back through Franky Dkhar (53’), Mebannangkiew Thabah (73’) and Pasborlang Khonglikong (88’).
RUFC had scored a goal in each of their previous three games but could not convert that into victory and they had just 1 point to their name prior to today, while Laitkor were one position higher on 3 points. The victory meant that Rangdajied climbed out of the relegation zone and took seventh place, dropping Nongkseh into eighth and Laitkor down to ninth.
This was an important game for all teams concerned and for the first half an hour or so it was Laitkor who crafted the best chances. Samuel Suting and Hamingbert both went wide, but not by much, in the first 20 minutes and Shanborlang Nonglait then headed a corner over, which he should have put away.
Laitkor’s breakthrough came in 32nd minute as Samborwell Mynsong fed the ball to the impressive Hamingbert, who did not rush his shot but carefully manoeuvred his way into a good position before threading the ball between a Rangdajied defender and goalkeeper Meshanbanjop Sumer.
For Rangdajied, their best opportunities came through Elnathan D Wahlang, who went wide, and Freelyson Tariang, who was blocked by the advancing Laitkor keeper Deranius Wahlang.
It was a mistake by Deranius that led to the equaliser in the second half; the goalie took a step too many and carried the ball outside the box as he tried to send it long. Franky took the resulting free-kick and, despite all the Laitkor outfielders coming back to defend, he found a way through, striking it low past the wall, leaving Deranius rooted to the spot.
Exactly 20 minutes later, Rangdajied, who continued to press after the equaliser, attacked up the left and the ball was passed to Mebannangkiew, who guided it past the keeper’s left. The No. 7 went for glory moments later when he sprinted up from his own half in a counterattack but chose to shoot from a tight angle rather than pass and his effort was wide of the mark.
The final goal saw Balamlynti Khongjee cross for Pasborlang in the middle. He went to ground but still had the ability to hook the ball from a near-seated position for the finest goal of the evening.
Meshan also deserves plenty of credit for the Rangdajied win as the custodian made two sharp saves in the closing minutes, including one with his fingertips to deny Wadskhem Marbaniang.
Tomorrow Nongkseh will face Meghalaya Police at 3:30pm. Both teams were promoted to the SPL from the First Division last year. While Nongkseh carried all before them in 2025, they have had a more difficult start to the SPL and are trailing MLP in the standings at present.
