Shillong, Oct 7 : Redemption is sweet, and Mawlai SC made it sweeter with five goals.
After two seasons of final-day heartbreak, Mawlai were crowned champions of the Shillong Premier League 2026 on Tuesday, thrashing Rangdajied United 5-0 at the SSA Stadium, Polo.
It was Mawlai’s last game of the season, but they now have an unbeatable 21 points with four matches still left for other teams.
Mawlai meant business from the start and were 3-0 up inside 22 minutes. Basuklang Bina opened the scoring in the 13th minute, Arkini Laloo doubled the lead in the 16th, and Fairming Suting made it 3-0 in the 22nd minute.
With the title all but sealed, they added two more late on — Damanbhalang Chyne headed in from a free-kick in the 83rd minute and Ricky Chyne completed the rout in the 90th.
The champions remained undefeated with six wins and three draws, scored 17 goals — joint highest — and conceded just two, the best defensive record in the league.
The victory is extra special as Mawlai had won the title in 2022 and 2023 but faltered on the last day in the last two seasons. There was no slip-up this time.
It is also Mawlai’s third SPL crown and second under coach Hering Shangpliang.
Rangdajied, who are sixth, started with several first-team players on the bench and were completely outplayed by Mawlai’s slick one-touch passing.
Mawlai will receive the trophy only after the season ends, but celebrations began today itself.
The fight now shifts to the race for the SSA Super Cup, with the top six qualifying. Seventh-placed Sawmer will face bottom side Mylliem tomorrow at 3 pm — a win will lift Sawmer to fifth.
