Shillong, Nov 7: Shillong Lajong snatched a stoppage time winner to beat Sanmer in the first match of Group B in the SSA Champions Cup 2026 at the SSA Stadium here today.
Later, Sohryngkham performed excellently to blank Mawkhar 2-0, also in Group B thanks to Damanglangki Makdoh (18′) and Macheaveen Nongbri (57′).
After a dogged defence that frustrated Lajong for the entire match, Wilbert Marbaniang (90’+4) bundled a cross over the line in what was the last action of the well-contested fixture.
Lajong were Shillong Premier League runners-up this year and had also finished second in the inaugural Champions Cup in 2025. Sanmer, meanwhile, were victors in the Third Division 2026 and this is their first outing in the Champions Cup.
Goalkeeper Akash Thapa and the entire Sanmer defence were kept extra busy today but they held on well. Added to missed opportunities from Lajong, it looked like the game would finish goalless, that is until Denzil Kharshandi worked hard to keep hold of the ball deep on the right flank before turning in a cross that Wilbert either chested or headed into the back of the net.
At the start, SLFC had a look-in in the fourth minute but Badondor Marbaniang’s header was wayward from close range.
Despite being under pressure at the back, Sanmer looked to take the attack to Lajong when opportunities arose. The best of these in the first half was in the 12th minute when Hilford Lyngkhei fed a through ball to Khrawkupar L Nongbri, who had his effort smothered by Lajong goalie Banshanskhem Kharsyntiew.
Lajong continued to have the edge in the second half, with Colinsalmon Lyngdoh off target narrowly in the 60th minute and Riborlang L Lyngkhoi being denied by Akash in the 84th.
Lajong thought they should have had a goal minutes from the end, when Akash collected an aerial ball in the box but collided with one of his own players while doing so. He went to ground and released the ball as he was in obvious pain but the referee had not blown the whistle, so Lajong pounced on it and scored. However, this was not allowed to stand.
Later, Damang burst through the Mawkhar back line for a through ball that he slammed in low to Mawkhar goalkeeper Skhembor Mashra’s right for the opening goal.
Sohryngkham, the Second Division runners-up, played well throughout, always looking dangerous when there was a chance to attack. Mac had a chance in the first half after his marker slipped on the surface but the Sohryngkham player did the same soon after and the opportunity fizzled out.
In the second half, Remark Kharmalki rounded the keeper but his shot from deep on the far left hit the woodwork. Immediately afterwards Mac did eventually get his goal by powering the ball into the back of the net. He was to be denied a brace in stoppage time by Skhembor’s quick reactions, whereas Remark went narrowly over the bar earlier in the half.
For Mawkhar, Donbok Sohtun headed a couple of attempts wide of the mark but the First Division champions were never really on target in this game and will need to improve for the remainder of the Champions Cup.
On Monday, in Group A, Mawpdang, the Fourth Division champions will face Mawpat (winners from the Second Division) at 2:30pm. This will be Mawpdang’s first match and Mawpat’s second after the latter defeated Nongkrem earlier this week.
