Durand Cup: Shillong Lajong beat Nongkseh SS&CC

SHILLONG, JUL 31: Shillong Lajong FC kicked off their 135th Indian Oil Durand Cup campaign with a convincing 2-0 victory over Nongkseh Sports and Cultural Club in the Shillong Derby at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Friday.
Goals from Everbrightson Sana and Tremiki Lamurong in the second half sealed all three points for the Red Dragons after a closely contested opening half.
Shillong Lajong head coach Birendra Thapa fielded a strong side featuring the core of the squad that finished runners-up in the 2025-26 Indian Football League season, along with Brazilian recruits Arthur Pangaro and forward Jota.
Nongkseh, playing their maiden Durand Cup match under head coach Joseph Naik, named an all-Indian lineup led by former Shillong Lajong captain Hardy Cliff Nongbri and several players with Indian Super League and Indian Football League experience.
The Meghalaya State League champions made an impressive start, pressing high and controlling possession in the opening stages. They nearly took the lead when Sheen Stevenson Sohktung capitalised on a defensive lapse and struck the crossbar with a left-footed effort from the edge of the penalty area.
Shillong Lajong gradually settled into the game, with Lamlallian Vaiphei and Gladdy Kharbuli taking control of midfield. The Red Dragons threatened through counter-attacks and set-pieces but lacked the finishing touch before the break. Everbrightson Sana failed to connect cleanly inside the box, while Jota fired wide in the closing moments of the first half as the teams went into the interval goalless.
Shillong Lajong came out with greater purpose after the restart and nearly opened the scoring when Jota sent Sana through on goal, only for Nongkseh goalkeeper Guidle Syiemlieh to produce an excellent save.
Nongkseh squandered a golden chance to break the deadlock just after the hour mark. Aenam Graffenberg Jurwa beat Shillong Lajong captain Kenstar Kharshong before setting up Khyriem Wahlang, who blazed his effort over the crossbar from close range.
The missed opportunity proved costly as Shillong Lajong took the lead 10 minutes later. Phrangki Buam capitalised on a defensive error before setting up Everbrightson Sana, who calmly slotted into an empty net after beating the advancing goalkeeper.
Buam was again the architect of the second goal in the 86th minute, threading a reverse pass into the path of Tremiki Lamurong, who raced clear and finished confidently through the legs of the goalkeeper to seal the victory.
Shillong Lajong comfortably saw out the closing minutes to register an impressive opening win in their Durand Cup campaign.