Shillong, July 28: Meghalaya Police marked their return to the Shillong Premier League after an eight-year absence with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Rangdajied United at the SSA Stadium on Tuesday.
Dameki Khongstia gave Rangdajied United the lead in the 20th minute before Pynshailang L. Lyngkhoi struck early in the second half to earn Meghalaya Police a valuable point in their first top-flight match since returning to the league.
Meghalaya Police, who were relegated from the SPL in 2018, secured promotion after finishing runners-up in the First Division in 2025. Retaining much of the squad that earned promotion, they produced a disciplined display against a Rangdajied side looking to improve on last season’s fifth-place finish.
Rangdajied made the breakthrough midway through the first half after capitalising on a defensive lapse. Goalkeeper Eveningstar Bareh was caught out of position while attempting to deal with the ball on the left flank, allowing a well-timed pass to find Dameki Khongstia, who calmly slotted into an empty net.
Meghalaya Police struggled to create clear-cut chances in the opening half, though Marbiangki Suchiang came close with a long-range effort that sailed over the crossbar.
The equaliser came in the 53rd minute through Pynshailang Lyngkhoi, last season’s First Division top scorer. His effort took a fortunate deflection before looping over Rangdajied goalkeeper Meshan Banjop Sumer and into the net.
The promoted side nearly completed the turnaround soon after, but Rapborlang Marwein’s powerful strike was tipped over the bar by Meshan to keep the scores level.
Rangdajied also pushed for a winner in the closing stages, with Elnathan Wahlang testing Eveningstar Bareh, who gathered the effort comfortably.
Both sides ultimately settled for a point to begin their respective SPL 2026 campaigns.
The Shillong Premier League continues on Wednesday with five-time champions Shillong Lajong FC taking on Nangkiew Irat at 4 pm. Lajong finished runners-up last season, while Nangkiew Irat placed fourth. Their only meeting in the 2025 season ended in a draw, a result that denied Lajong a record-extending sixth league title.
