Shillong, October 14: Meghalaya Police (MLP) pulled off a major upset by defeating Langsning 5-4 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in regulation time and extra time in the second playoff of the SSA Super Cup 2026 at the SSA Stadium here on Wednesday.
Langsning took the lead through Wadajied Kynsai Ryngkhlem in the 17th minute, but Rapborlang Marwein equalised for MLP in the 67th minute. Neither side managed to find a winner in the remaining minutes of regulation time and 30 minutes of extra time, sending the contest into a tiebreaker.
Both teams converted their first three penalties before Chesterfield Nongdhar of MLP struck the crossbar and Langsning’s Donlad Diengdoh hit the upright with his attempt. MLP converted their next two spot-kicks, while Langsning scored once.
Langsning’s Mangkara Sun then stepped up to take his side’s sixth penalty, but MLP goalkeeper Eveningstar Bareh made a crucial save to seal the victory.
The win sets up a semifinal clash between MLP and Shillong Lajong on Saturday. The other semifinal will see Mawlai take on Nongkseh on Friday. Both matches will kick off at 5 pm.
The Super Cup features the top six teams from the Shillong Premier League (SPL) 2026 in a knockout format, with champions Mawlai and runners-up Shillong Lajong receiving direct entry to the semifinals.
Langsning dominated much of the first half and opened the scoring when Mebanshngain Kurkalang flicked a header into the path of Wadajied, who fired a low right-footed shot into the net.
MLP goalkeeper Eveningstar Bareh kept his side in the contest with important saves, diving to his left to deny Samuel L. Kynshi three minutes after the opener before stopping a powerful long-range effort from Mebanshngain in the 24th minute. Samuel threatened again in the 39th minute, but his shot took a slight deflection and went wide.
After the break, MLP raised their tempo, encouraged by strong support from their fans. The police side had defeated Langsning 2-1 in the SPL in August and showed renewed attacking intent in the second half.
MLP’s SPL top scorer Everestarly Rynjah tested Langsning goalkeeper Rajat Paul Lyngdoh around the hour mark, but the latter held on to the ball.
Rapborlang subsequently found space to score the equaliser, placing a right-footed shot beyond Rajat Paul to bring MLP back into the contest.
Langsning threatened through a series of dangerous free-kicks taken by Atlanson Kharmaw. In the 86th minute, Donlad’s header was directed towards goal but went straight into Eveningstar’s body before a defender cleared the danger.
In stoppage time, Atlanson’s free-kick struck the woodwork, and Mecheal Roy Kurbah put the rebound into the net. However, the assistant referee had already raised the flag for offside.
MLP had the better chances in extra time but failed to convert them. One of their best opportunities came from a free-kick by Pynche Ia-i Tyngkan, who attempted to curl the ball around the defensive wall but could not generate enough bend.
The result gave MLP a memorable victory and kept their Super Cup campaign alive, setting up an eagerly awaited semifinal against Shillong Lajong.
