Shillong, Oct 17: Meghalaya Police produced another upset to defeat defending champions Shillong Lajong FC 1-0 in the second semifinal of the SSA Super Cup at the SSA Stadium on Saturday, booking their place in Monday’s final against Nongkseh.
The final, scheduled for 5:30pm on Monday, will feature two teams that competed in the SSA First Division in 2025. Nongkseh, who won the First Division title that year, had defeated Mawlai 1-0 in Friday’s first semifinal, while Meghalaya Police progressed after overcoming Langsning on penalties in the playoff earlier this week.
Everestarly Rynjah scored the decisive goal in the 40th minute, combining with Rapborlang Marwein to break through Shillong Lajong’s defence. Marwein delivered a cross from the right flank, which Rynjah met with a diving header at the far post to give Meghalaya Police the lead.
Despite taking the lead, Meghalaya Police spent much of the match defending as Shillong Lajong dominated possession and created several opportunities at both ends of the first and second halves. However, the police side’s goalkeeper Eveningstar Bareh and his defenders stood firm to preserve their advantage.
Lajong had their first opportunity in the 12th minute, but Freddy Jyrwa sent his effort over the crossbar and out of the stadium. After conceding, the defending champions pushed forward in search of an equaliser, with Wilbert Marbaniang seeing an attempt deflected out by a defender. Lajong also won consecutive corners but failed to capitalise.
The pressure continued after the interval as Lajong made attacking substitutions in an attempt to turn the match around. Bareh produced several important saves, including a point-blank stop to deny Banlamkupar Rynjah.
Substitutes Fridison Wanniang and Deibormame Tongper also came close to finding the equaliser. Wanniang volleyed wide, while Tongper headed over the bar in stoppage time as Lajong’s efforts to force the match back into contention came to nothing.
Rynjah was named the T7 Player of the Match for his winning goal and received the cash award from Meghalaya Football Association president Hamletson Dohling.
The result ensures that the SSA Super Cup will have new champions in its second edition, with Meghalaya Police now set to face Nongkseh in the final. Both clubs were promoted to the Shillong Premier League after finishing as runners-up and champions, respectively, in the SSA First Division in 2025. In the 2026 SPL season, Nongkseh finished third, while Meghalaya Police placed fifth.
