Shillong, Nov 9: Mawpat refused to lose.
Two goals down inside 13 minutes, the Second Division champions stormed back to draw 2-2 with Mawpdang in a pulsating Group A tie of the SSA Champions Cup 2026 at SSA Stadium on Monday.
Mawpdang, playing their first game since lifting the U-20 Fourth Division title in July, exploded out of the blocks.
Loan signing Donlad Diengdoh was the destroyer-in-chief. He fired home with his right foot in the 1st minute to silence Mawpat fans, then flew in to head Jonathan Kharbani’s cross into the net in the 13th minute.
It looked like a rout. It turned into a classic.
Mawpat threw everything forward. Oliver Pale fired just over, Balamlynti Khongjee struck the side netting, and keeper Embhahlang Khongnoh was forced into a string of saves.
The breakthrough came on the stroke of half-time. Dajiedlang Wanshnong and Embhahlang collided going for a ball in the box, and the ball trickled over the line — 2-1.
Mawpat owned the second half. And in the 59th minute, Donboklang Lyngdoh punished a defensive lapse to make it 2-2.
The drama wasn’t over. Mawpdang’s Lamshai Jana met a brilliant cross from Banaijingshai Kharkongor with a volley that rattled the crossbar. At the other end, Dajiedlang had two golden chances to win it for Mawpat, but Embhahlang held firm.
Credit to Mawpdang’s other loan stars — Atlanson Kharmaw, Manbhalang Nongmin and Dibinroy Nongspung — who held the defence together under intense pressure.
Mawpat have now come from behind in both their games. Mawpdang will take heart from a point on their return.
