Shillong, Sept 9: Bottom-placed Mylliem produced their best performance of the Shillong Premier League (SPL) 2026 so far, holding title contenders Shillong Lajong to a thrilling 3-3 draw at the SSA Stadium here on Wednesday.
In a match that saw both teams take the lead, Lajong opened the scoring through Iohborlang L Lyngkhoi in the seventh minute before Mylliem fought back through Wanpynshngain Nongsteng (25′).
Shaibor Nongrum put Mylliem ahead seven minutes into the second half, but Lalmuansanga restored parity for Lajong in the 65th minute. Istarbor Marngar then gave Mylliem another lead in the 70th minute before Deibormame Tongper struck six minutes later to make it 3-3.
The result gave Mylliem their first point of the season after four straight defeats. It was also the first time Lajong had conceded a goal in this season’s SPL campaign.
Lajong made the early breakthrough when Istarbor brought down Freddy B Jyrwa just outside the Mylliem penalty area. Iohborlang stepped up for the resulting free-kick and curled his effort over the wall, with the ball going in off the upright.
Lajong created several opportunities to extend their advantage, but Mylliem goalkeeper Rihoklang Khongjoh kept his side in the contest.
Instead, Mylliem levelled from a corner. Remark Kharmalki delivered from the set-piece and Wanpynshngain rose sharply to flick his header into the net.
The goal ended Lajong’s run of clean sheets and was the first goal they had conceded in 300 minutes of SPL action.
Lajong nearly regained the lead 10 minutes later, but Rihoklang produced an important save to deny Colinsalmon Lyngdoh. Lajong thought they had found the net again in the 44th minute, only for Lalmuansanga’s effort to be ruled out for offside.
Mylliem came out aggressively after the break and were rewarded in the 52nd minute when Shaibor smashed a left-footed effort past the Lajong defence to put his side 2-1 ahead.
Mylliem’s defensive pair of Wanpynshngain and veteran Milancy Khongstia worked tirelessly to protect their advantage, but Lajong eventually found a way through.
Lalmuansanga was left unmarked inside the box and made no mistake with a header from a cross delivered from the right flank, bringing Lajong level at 2-2 in the 65th minute.
Mylliem responded almost immediately.
Istarbor unleashed a long-range effort that appeared to curl through the air before dipping over Lajong goalkeeper Banshanskhem Kharsyntiew and into the net, restoring Mylliem’s lead.
But Lajong had the final say.
Deibormame Tongper got on the end of another cross and flicked the ball into the net while on the run, making it 3-3.
Mylliem continued to push forward in search of a winning goal, but neither side could find the decisive strike during an exhausting final spell.
Despite remaining at the bottom of the standings, Mylliem can take considerable encouragement from the performance. After four defeats, they finally opened their points account and pushed one of the league’s leading sides to the limit.
Lajong, meanwhile, moved to the top of the table with 11 points, but Mawlai remain just one point behind with a game in hand.
On Thursday, ninth-placed Rangdajied United will take on eighth-placed Laitkor at 3:30pm.
