Shillong, Oct 19: Nongkseh were crowned champions of the second edition of the SSA Super Cup after producing a commanding performance to defeat Meghalaya Police 3-0 in the final at the SSA Stadium, Polo, on Monday evening.
An eighth-minute own goal by Meghalaya Police’s Wanteilang Kharkongor gave Nongkseh an early advantage before Dawanchwa Challam doubled the lead in the 78th minute. Captain Hardy Cliff Nongbri then sealed the victory with a third goal in the 86th minute to cap a memorable evening for the champions.
With the SSA Stadium packed with supporters, the final began at an intense pace, and Nongkseh needed just eight minutes to break the deadlock. Chesterpaul Lyngdoh attempted to send the ball into the box for teammate Kitboklang Pale, but the delivery took a deflection off Kharkongor and ended up in the net.
Despite taking the lead, Nongkseh looked slightly unsettled defensively in the opening stages, allowing Meghalaya Police to push forward in search of an equaliser. Chesterfield Nongdhar came close to drawing his side level in the 19th minute, but his long-range effort struck the crossbar.
Meghalaya Police continued to threaten, with Bisharlang Kharumnuid particularly influential in the first half. In the 36th minute, he outpaced his younger opponents before delivering a superb cross to the far side. However, Aldrin Ramsiej failed to capitalise on the opportunity, sending his effort over the bar from a promising position.
Nongkseh began the second half with greater attacking intent, and substitute Shano Tariang nearly made an immediate impact, shooting wide within a minute of his introduction.
Shano continued to trouble the Meghalaya Police defence and came close to scoring again after Hamedamanbha Wahlang released an excellent through ball for him around the hour mark. However, goalkeeper Eveningstar Bareh rushed off his line and denied Shano, who had attempted to lift the ball over him.
The breakthrough that effectively settled the contest arrived in the 78th minute. Shano made a determined run down the left flank before delivering a chip into the box for Dawanchwa, who adjusted to an awkward bounce and finished to extend Nongkseh’s lead to 2-0.
The second goal took much of the momentum out of Meghalaya Police’s challenge, and Nongkseh made certain of the result six minutes later. Captain Hardy rose to meet a cross and headed home in the 86th minute, completing a convincing 3-0 victory.
A host of dignitaries attended the final, led by Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Wailadmiki Shylla. Others present included retired Chief Secretary Donald P Wahlang, Director General of Police Idashisha Nongrang, Meghalaya Football Association (MFA) president Hamletson Dohling, MFA general secretary Sunesh Syiem and senior Shillong Sports Association (SSA) members led by president and MLA Banteidor Lyngdoh.
At the prize distribution ceremony, Nongkseh’s Chesterpaul Lyngdoh received the T7 Player of the Final award. The champions collected a cheque of Rs 2 lakh, while runners-up Meghalaya Police received Rs 1 lakh.
With the Super Cup concluded, the SSA calendar has another major competition in store before the end of the year. The second edition of the SSA Champions Cup is scheduled to begin in early November, bringing together the champions and runners-up from all five divisions of the association’s men’s football pyramid for a league-cum-knockout tournament.
