Shillong, May 20: Nongkseh SSCC and Shillong Lajong FC lit up the SSA Stadium again Tuesday with a pulsating 1-1 draw in their Group A quarterfinal clash, just two days after Nongkseh’s 2-0 win over the same opponent.
Nongkseh’s set-piece threat struck first when Mebankhraw Wahlang rose to head in Hardy Cliff Nongbri’s 33rd-minute corner. Shillong Lajong answered almost immediately as Fridison Wanniang fired through goalkeeper Guidle Syiemlieh’s legs in the 37th minute after sharp one-two passing. The intensity never dropped as fans from both sides packed the stands once more, turning a quarterfinal into a spectacle worthy of a final.
Elsewhere in Group A, defending champions Mawlai SC found their rhythm and dismantled Rangdajied United FC 4-0 to end the 2023 champions’ semifinal hopes. Basuklang Bina grabbed a first-half brace in the 14th and 39th minutes to become Mawlai’s top scorer in this MSL with six goals. Fairming Suting capitalized on a defensive lapse to add the third in the 66th minute, and Samlang Rympei wrapped up the rout in stoppage time at 90+4. Rangdajied, winless in five, can no longer reach the last four despite two games remaining.
Nongkseh now lead Group A with 8 points, followed by Lajong and Mawlai on 7 each, with Lajong ahead on head-to-head. Rangdajied remain bottom with 0. Group B action continues Wednesday with Rymbai Shkenshynriah facing Maram FC at 2pm and Langsning FC taking on Nangkiew Irat SC at 6pm.
