Lajong stun Mawlai to clinch fifth SPL title

A Correspondent

Shillong: It is a match that deserves to be remembered for years to come - Shillong Lajong FC pulled out something special to defeat Mawlai SC 2-1 in the last match of the OC Blue Shillong Premier League 2024 to lift the title for a fifth time.

The title was Mawlai’s for the taking. They had been undefeated in all 17 previous matches, were leading the table for the bulk of the season and needed just a draw from this game to claim a third consecutive OC Blue SPL trophy. The vast majority of the thousands of fans who thronged the SSA Stadium were there to cheer them on. But they don’t call football the beautiful game for nothing and Lajong mounted an astounding fight back that saw them beat Mawlai for the first time since the latter returned to the SPL in 2022.

Abhay Chettri (10’) scored his only goal of the season to put SLFC in front and Samchaphrang Lato (76’) then netted his third in as many matches to double the lead. With time ticking by, the game could have petered out but Mawlai pulled one back with a Damanbhalang Chyne (88’P) penalty and that meant that everyone - spectators and both dugouts - were on their feet for the final few minutes.

In the end, both sides are level on points at the end of the mammoth season. Lajong and Mawlai, easily the best two clubs this year, finished on 45 points each. SLFC had lost their lone game to Nangkiew Irat SC in November, otherwise they too had been unbeaten. Based on head-to-head, Lajong took the OC Blue SPL trophy but they also had the better goal difference to boot.

As champions of the OC Blue SPL 2024, Lajong received Rs 6 lakh, while Mawlai took home Rs 3 lakh as runners-up. The cheques and the champions’ trophy were presented by the chief guest, the Honourable Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Shakliar Warjri.

For his 20 goals this season, Deibormame was honoured as the Top Scorer and received a memento from Meghalaya Football Association President Hamletson Dohling. Other dignitaries present included senior members of the SSA, Meghalaya State Olympic Association and Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs.

To further support the OC Blue SPL, the pinnacle of the SSA’s pyramid of men’s football and the league that has done most to provide players for the state team, Warjri also handed over a letter from the state government sanctioning Rs 8 lakh for the SSA. The association’s General Secretary, Dipshon L Nongbri, thanked the minister and the Honourable Chief Minister for continuing to support local football for the benefit of Meghalaya’s youth.

The minister also lowered the SSA flag and declared the 2024 season closed. After a brief interval, the 2025 football season will begin, with the registration of clubs and transfer of players before the U-20 Fourth Division begins in June.

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