Shillong, Oct 19: Nongkseh were crowned champions of the 2nd SSA Super Cup after a ruthless 3-0 demolition of Meghalaya Police in the final at SSA Stadium this evening.
An 8th-minute own goal by Wanteilang Kharkongor set the tone, before late strikes from Dawanchwa Challam (78’) and captain Hardy Cliff Nongbri (86’) killed off the contest.
In front of a packed SSA Stadium, Nongkseh struck early. Chesterpaul Lyngdoh’s cross for Kitboklang Pale deflected off Kharkongor and went in.
Police had their chances to respond. Chesterfield Nongdhar smashed the crossbar from distance in the 19th minute, and Bisharlang Kharumnuid – the hardest worker on the pitch – set up Aldrin Ramsiej with a perfect cross in the 36th minute, only for Ramsiej to fire over from point-blank range.
Nongkseh came alive in the second half. Substitute Shano Tariang missed two golden chances, denied once by a fine block from MLP keeper Eveningstar Bareh after a superb through ball from Hamedamanbha Wahlang.
Shano then turned provider for the second. Charging down the left in the 78th minute, he chipped in for Dawanchwa, who controlled a tricky bounce and drilled it home.
The result was sealed four minutes from time when Hardy rose to head in a cross and make it 3-0.
The final was graced by Sports Minister Wailadmiki Shylla, ex-Chief Secretary Donald P. Wahlang, DGP Idashisha Nongrang, MFA President Hamletson Dohling, MFA General Secretary Sunesh Syiem and SSA President Banteidor Lyngdoh MLA.
Chesterpaul Lyngdoh bagged the T7 Player of the Final award. Nongkseh pocketed Rs 2 lakh, while Police took home Rs 1 lakh as runners-up.
The Shillong football season rolls on — the 2nd SSA Champions Cup begins in early November, pitting champions and runners-up from all five SSA divisions against each other.
