Shillong, Oct 14: Meghalaya Police pulled off an inspiring upset to beat Langsning 5-4 on penalties in the second playoff of the SSA Super Cup 2026 at the SSA Stadium here today.
Langsning led in the first half through Wadajied Kynsai Ryngkhlem (17′) but Rapborlang Marwein (67′) equalised in the second half for MLP and the game remained locked at 1-1 through the rest of the 90 minutes and 30 additional minutes of extra time.
In the tiebreaker both sides converted their first three spot kicks. Chesterfield Nongdhar of MLP then hit the crossbar and Donlad Diengdoh of Langsning was denied by the upright immediately after. Two more penalties were converted by MLP and one by Langsning. The latter’s Mangkara Sun then stepped up for his side’s sixth spot kick but this was blocked by Eveningstar Bareh, the police’s goalkeeper.
The Super Cup has thus delivered some super action in its first two games, with Nongkseh having to battle hard from behind twice to defeat Sawmer 4-2 yesterday.
MLP will now face Shillong Lajong in the second semifinal on Saturday. The Super Cup brings together the Top 6 Shillong Premier League 2026 teams in a knockout format. Champions Mawlai and runners-up Lajong received direct entry to the semis.
Today’s game saw Langsning dominate the first half. The opening goal came about after Mebanshngain Kurkalang flicked a header in the direction of Wadajied, who took a strong right-footed shot low into the net.
Eveningstar put that behind him to make a brilliant save diving to his left to deny Samuel L Kynshi three minutes later and he blocked a powerful long-range Mebanshngain shot in the 24th. Samuel had another go in the 39th but this time his effort took a slight deflection that sent it wide.
After changing ends, MLP, who had defeated Langsning 2-1 in the SPL in August, upped their game, backed by the vociferous cheers of their supporters. Their SPL top scorer Everestarly Rynjah made a good attempt on the hour with the outside part of his boot but Langsning keeper Rajat Paul Lyngdoh grabbed onto the ball.
Rapborlang found space a little while later for the equaliser. He placed this beautifully out of reach of Rajat Paul with a right foot to bring the two teams back on level terms.
After that there were several times that Langsning had free-kicks in dangerous positions, all of which were taken by Atlanson Kharmaw. The first, in the 86th minute, saw the Donlad head on target but into Eveningstar’s body. A defender then cleared the ball away from danger. In stoppage time the Langsning captain went for goal with the set-piece but it came off the woodwork. Mecheal Roy Kurbah converted the deflection but the assistant referee had raised his flag for offside.
MLP then had the better opportunities in extra time but without success. The best of these was a Pynche Ia-i Tyngkan free-kick that he tried to go around the wall with but he could not curl the ball enough.
The two semifinals will take place on Friday and Saturday. Mawlai will face Nongkseh in the first, followed by Lajong against MLP the next day. Both matches will begin at 5pm and, given what we have seen so far, they should be cracking encounters.
