Langsning Take Control at the Top With Convincing win over Nangkiew Irat

Shillong, Sep 22: Langsning continued their impressive title defence with a commanding 3-0 victory over Nangkiew Irat at the SSA Stadium on Monday, moving to the summit of the Shillong Premier League 2026 standings. The defending champions were made to work for the breakthrough, but once they found the opening goal after the interval, the match quickly turned in their favour. Samuel Phawa broke the deadlock in the 65th minute, five minutes after coming on as a substitute. Syed Ahmed doubled the advantage in the 70th minute before Mebanshngain Kurkalang completed the scoring nine minutes later. The result lifts Langsning to 13 points from six matches, with a record of four wins, 1 draws and 1 defeats. They have scored 14 goals while conceding only four, giving them a +10 goal difference. Their defensive record has been particularly notable. Langsning are conceding just 0.67 goals per match, while their attacking return stands at 2.33 goals per game. Mebanshngain's late strike also took his tournament tally to four goals, making him Langsning's leading scorer. Ahmed is next with three goals, while Phawa opened his account in the competition with today's goal. Langsning started the match brightly but could not find a way through during a goalless first half. Nangkiew Irat's Yhoto Lohe tested the Langsning defence with a number of attempts, although none forced goalkeeper Rajat Paul Lyngdoh into serious trouble. Langsning gradually began to find spaces. Kyrmenskhem Mukhim went close with an effort that clipped the outside of the net, while Richie Kharbani forced Surjay Kumar Pariyar into action. Mebanshngain also had a chance to put Langsning ahead before the break, but his powerful volley bounced off the turf and went over the crossbar. The introduction of Phawa at half time changed the tempo of the contest. Langsning pressed higher and began putting greater pressure on the Nangkiew backline. That pressure finally produced the breakthrough in the 65th minute when Phawa took advantage of a defensive lapse to give the champions the lead. Nangkiew Irat had little time to recover. Five minutes later, Ahmed rose to meet a cross and headed Langsning's second into the net. With Nangkiew forced to chase the game, Langsning found further openings. Mebanshngain, who had already come close earlier, eventually got his reward in the 79th minute to make it 3-0. Wallamsuk Nongkhlaw tried to give Nangkiew some hope late on, but his two attempts were well off target. The victory puts Langsning on 13 points, 2 points clear of Mawlai and Shillong Lajong, although Mawlai have played one match fewer. Nangkiew Irat remain on seven points in eighth place and now have a -3 goal difference. Langsning will now look to build on a run that has seen them remain unbeaten through their last four matches as the defending champions continue their push for another league title. Tomorrow, Rangdajied United and Nongkseh, both on seven points, will meet at 3pm. Nongkseh currently sit ahead on goal difference.