Shillong, Nov 09: Mawpat were two goals down but responded with a couple of their own to draw 2-2 with Mawpdang in their Group A match of the SSA Champions Cup 2026 at the SSA Stadium here today.
A thrilling contest from start to finish saw Donlad Diengdoh (1′, 13′) give Mawpdang a start they could have only dreamed of before Mawpat pulled one back before half time through Dajiedlang Wanshnong (45’) and then levelled thanks to Donboklang Lyngdoh (59’). Both teams had tremendous support in the stands and the fans were treated to an excellent display of football.
This was Mawpdang’s first match of the tournament and their first outing in an SSA tournament since they won the U-20 Fourth Division in July. Donlad is one of the players that they have taken on loan for this tournament – as is permitted in the rules – and he made an immediate impact.
However, much credit also has to be given to the other players that Mawpdang have taken on – Atlanson Kharmaw, Manbhalang Nongmin and Dibinroy Nongspung – who leant their experience in defence.
Mawpat, the Second Division winners, were playing their second game after beating Nongkrem last week. They were behind in that game as well before winning 2-1 but this time around they could not find the winner.
Donlad was straight out of the blocks and scored with his right boot to the delight of the Mawpdang supporters. The second goal followed soon after when Jonathan Kharbani won the ball from Mawpat’s Terry Khongsti and then sent in a cross from the right flank. Donlad flew in to head the ball into the net on the left.
Mawpat did not sit back but fought hard for a comeback. Oliver Pale went just over the crossbar after a poor clearance from Mawpdang and Balamlynti Khongjee struck the outside of the net after half an hour’s action.
Embhahlang Khongnoh was kept busy in the Mawpdang goal and some good work saw him punch the ball away before Dajiedlang could get to a cross. However, the ball was still alive and Reform Pale had a go at goal but the keeper saved that too.
After providing the assist Jonathan had two shots in one attacking move by Mawpdang and Dibinroy had another attempt but all were blocked and Mawpat eventually cleared the ball from danger.
Mawpdang almost held on to their two-goal lead going into the break but Dajied and Embhahlang collided while going for a ball in the box and it crept over the line.
Most of the chances in the second half belonged to Mawpat and they found the equaliser just under an hour into the game when Donboklang capitalised on a defensive lapse to score.
At the other end, Mawpdang were constricted to long-range shots, that is until a beautiful cross by Banaijingshai Kharkongor from the left was met on the run by Lamshai Jana but his volley struck the crossbar.
Later, Dajiedlang would have two opportunities to score the winner for Mawpat. His first was collected by Embhahlang and he hesitated too long with the second, which meant that the chance evaporated as Mawpdang brought men back in defence.
Tomorrow Lamlynti will face Nongkrem at 2:30pm, also in Group A. Lamlynti lost the opening match of the tournament 3-0 to Mawlai, while Nongkrem were pipped by Mawpat 2-1.
