Shillong, July 31: Shillong Lajong FC underlined the gulf between Meghalaya’s best club side and the state’s newest champions as they defeated Nongkseh Sports & Social Cultural Club 2-0 in front of more than 11,000 spectators in the opening Group E fixture of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Friday.
Goals from Everbrightson Sana in the 70th minute and substitute Tremiki Lamurong in the 86th secured victory for the Reds, who fielded the core of the squad that finished runners-up in the 2025-26 Indian Football League season.
The result also brought an end to Nongkseh’s remarkable 29-match unbeaten run across four major competitions. Friday’s defeat, their 30th match during that stretch, came against the strongest Shillong Lajong side they have faced, having previously met only the club’s developmental squads in domestic competitions.
Despite the final scoreline, the opening exchanges belonged to Nongkseh.
The Meghalaya State League (MSL) champions pressed aggressively during the opening 10 minutes, refusing to allow Shillong Lajong time on the ball and forcing several hurried clearances. Their positive start nearly produced the opening goal in the fifth minute when Sheen Stevenson Sohktung pounced on a defensive lapse before unleashing a powerful left-footed strike from just outside the penalty area. His effort beat goalkeeper Ranit Sarkar but crashed against the crossbar, leaving the packed stadium gasping.
That proved to be one of Nongkseh’s best opportunity of the evening.
Lajong gradually settled into the contest and began controlling the midfield, with Phrangki Buam and Jota leading the attacks while Arthur Pangaro kept the defence well organised. Although the Reds had more of the ball for the remainder of the first half, Nongkseh’s gritty defence kept them at bay and limited their clear chances.
One of Lajong’s best opportunities arrived in the 21st minute when a frantic scramble inside the Nongkseh penalty area saw the ball ricochet between several players before eventually being cleared to safety. Moments later, Everbrightson Sana failed to make clean contact after finding space inside the box, while Jota dragged another effort narrowly wide just before the break after being picked out by Buam.
Although the teams went into the interval locked at 0-0, the momentum had gradually begun shifting in Shillong Lajong’s favour.
The second half, however, belonged almost entirely to Birendra Thapa’s men.
Lajong looked sharper, quicker and far more composed in possession. Their crisp passing repeatedly pulled Nongkseh’s midfield and defence out of position, while the movement of Buam, Jota and Everbrightson Sana constantly stretched the opposition backline.
The Reds came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock in the 51st minute when Jota made a perfectly weighted pass to Everbrightson Sana inside the penalty area. The forward made a quick touch in an attempt to take the ball past Nongkseh custodian Guidle Syiemlieh, but the goalkeeper read the move well and reacted quickly to dive to his right to make an excellent save.
Nongkseh were handed a golden chance to take the lead in the 62nd minute when Aenam Graffenberg Jurwa won the ball from Shillong Lajong captain Kenstar Kharshong inside the penalty area before passing it to Mebankhraw Wahlang near the penalty spot. With the goal at his mercy, Wahlang somehow blasted his shot over the crossbar, squandering what was arguably Nongkseh’s best chance of the match.
The warning was short-lived.
Seven minutes later, Phrangki Buam once again demonstrated why he was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2025-26 Indian Football League (IFL) season. Capitalising on hesitation inside the Nongkseh defence, the winger cleverly nudged the ball into the path of Everbrightson Sana, who calmly rounded the advancing goalkeeper before finishing into an empty net to finally break the deadlock.
The goal visibly changed the complexion of the contest.
While Shillong Lajong grew in confidence, Nongkseh suddenly looked rushed and unsettled. The composure they had shown during the first hour gradually disappeared as Lajong’s relentless pressing and quick passing continued to pile on the pressure.
Buam remained at the heart of everything dangerous.
Buam continued to trouble the Nongkseh defence with his pace and clever movement, creating several chances that could easily have increased Lajong’s lead. However, an excellent performance by Nongkseh custodian Guidle Syiemlieh, along with some solid defending, kept the scoreline within reach.
Lajong looked even more dangerous after Tremiki Lamurong came on in the 71st minute. The substitute made an immediate impact with his fresh energy and direct runs, causing problems for a tiring Nongkseh defence.
Lamurong eventually put the result beyond doubt in the 86th minute.
Once again, Buam was at the heart of the move, threading a perfectly timed pass through the Nongkseh defence for Lamurong. The substitute made a spirited run from the edge of the penalty area before calmly slotting the ball through the legs of the advancing goalkeeper Guidle Syiemlieh’s legs to double Lajong’s lead.
Although Buam did not get on the scoresheet himself, the playmaker was unquestionably one of the game’s standout performers, registering assists for both goals while orchestrating much of Shillong Lajong’s attacking play.
Alongside him, Jota and Arthur Pangaro impressed on their competitive debuts for the Reds, while Everbrightson Sana constantly troubled Nongkseh’s backline with his pace and movement.
For Nongkseh, Sheen Stevenson Sohktung was arguably their brightest performer. The forward repeatedly threatened the Lajong defence with his control, dribble and powerful shooting and was unfortunate not to find the net after striking the crossbar early in the game. Chesterpaul also delivered an impressive performance in midfield despite the defeat.
As the final whistle blew, Shillong Lajong celebrated the perfect start to their Durand Cup campaign, while Nongkseh were left reflecting on what might have been after seeing their impressive unbeaten run finally come to an end.
For Lajong, however, Friday’s victory was about far more than three points. Against the reigning Meghalaya State League champions and in front of a massive Durand Cup crowd in Shillong, the Reds showed exactly why they remain one of the strongest club sides in Indian football.
