Shillong, Oct 6: Mawlai will look to put the disappointment of the past two seasons behind them when they face Rangdajied United in a potentially title-deciding Shillong Premier League (SPL) 2026 clash at the SSA Stadium on Wednesday.
The league leaders take on sixth-placed Rangdajied at 3pm, knowing that victory will secure their third SPL title. Mawlai have previously lifted the trophy in 2022 and 2023.
The situation will be familiar for Mawlai. On the final day of the 2025 season, they also needed a win to claim the title and faced the same opponents. Rangdajied, who finished in mid-table that season, held Mawlai to a 1-1 draw, leaving them third in the final standings and handing the championship to Langsning FC.
Mawlai also experienced heartbreak on the final day in 2024. Leading the standings and needing only a draw against Shillong Lajong, they suffered their only defeat of the season as Shillong Lajong went on to claim the title.
Mawlai will hope this time the outcome is different. They continue to be coached by Hering Shangpliang, who was also in charge during their previous title challenges, while several players from those campaigns remain part of the squad.
Fairming Suting, Damanbhalang Chyne, Arkibor Makhroh, Samlang Rympei, Kevin Rymbai and Robertson Khongriah are among the players who have experienced the disappointment of the previous title races.
With Mawlai now one win away from the championship, Wednesday’s encounter offers them an opportunity to end the cycle of final-day setbacks and reclaim the SPL crown. A victory would not only secure their third title but also close one of the most frustrating chapters in their recent league history.
