Shillong, Aug 19: Nangkiew Irat and Nongkseh shared the spoils in an engaging and tense 1-1 draw in the Shillong Premier League 2026 at the SSA Stadium here on Wednesday.
Nangkiew Irat made two changes to the side that lost 1-0 to Shillong Lajong on July 29, bringing in Yhoto Lohe and Wallamsuk Nongkhlaw for Sangti Janai Shianglong and Shrikant Gadaba.
Nongkseh, meanwhile, made seven changes to its starting XI, with several key players rested following the club’s Durand Cup campaign. Kynsailang Khongsit, Aenam G Jyrwa, Dawanchwa C Challam, Banraplang Pyngrope, Kitboklang Pale, Daraphun Talang and Mebankhraw Wahlang came into the side.
Nangkiew Irat made a dream start when Wallamsuk Nongkhlaw capitalised on a lapse in the Nongkseh defence to find Jefferson, who calmly tapped the ball past goalkeeper Daraphun to put his side ahead.
Nongkseh responded with sustained pressure and won a series of corners as they searched for an equaliser. However, they were unable to convert their set-piece opportunities.
The equaliser eventually came from open play. Kynsailang Khongsit delivered a cross from the right, and as Nangkiew Irat struggled to clear, Kitboklang Pale pounced on the loose ball to make it 1-1.
Nongkseh dominated much of the second half, while Nangkiew Irat defended resolutely in their bid to secure at least a point.
Nongkseh came close to taking the lead in the 50th minute after winning a free-kick deep inside Nangkiew Irat territory. Shano Tariang delivered the ball, with Dawanchwa allowing it to run through for Mebankhraw, whose close-range effort went over the crossbar.
Nangkiew Irat goalkeeper Surjay Kumar Pariyar was later called into action and nearly gifted Nongkseh an opportunity when he hesitated while dealing with a cross from the left. However, the lurking Nongkseh attacker failed to make contact.
Surjay redeemed himself in stoppage time, making two important saves to deny Nongkseh a late winner.
Chesterpaul Lyngdoh remained a constant threat for Nongkseh and came close around the hour mark, first skimming the crossbar before sending an acrobatic volley over the target.
Nongkseh came closest to snatching all three points deep into stoppage time when Dawanchwa C Challam headed inches wide in the seventh minute of added time.
The draw leaves Nongkseh second in the standings with four points, while Nangkiew Irat opened its account with one point but remains near the bottom of the table.
The Shillong Premier League continues on Friday, when Mawlai face Shillong Lajong at 6pm. Both sides won their opening matches, with Mawlai thrashing Laitkor 5-0 on July 30, while Lajong edged Nangkiew Irat 1-0 on July 29.
