Shillong Lajong FC reached the 135th Durand Cup quarterfinals after a thrilling 3-3 draw against Langsning FC, finishing top of Group E with seven points. Jota scored twice, while Everbrighton Sana added another as Langsning mounted a spirited comeback through Mukhim, Wadajied Kynsai Ryngkhlem and Syed Ahmed.
Shillong Lajong FC secured their place in the quarterfinals of the 135th Durand Cup after playing out an entertaining 3-3 draw against local rivals Langsning FC in a dramatic Group E encounter at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Thursday. The result saw Shillong Lajong finish at the top of Group E with seven points, while Langsning FC ended their campaign in second place with five points.
The match produced an action-packed contest, with both sides displaying attacking intent throughout. Shillong Lajong appeared to be in control after establishing a two-goal advantage in the first half, but Langsning mounted a determined comeback after the interval. Even after Shillong Lajong restored their lead late in the match, Langsning continued to fight until the final whistle and eventually secured a dramatic equaliser deep into stoppage time.
Joao Vitor de Paula Morais, popularly known as Jota, was the standout performer for Shillong Lajong, scoring twice in the first half. Everbrighton Sana also found the net late in the second half to put his side ahead again. For Langsning, Kyrmenskhem Mukhim, Wadajied Kynsai Ryngklem and Syed Ahmed were on target in a remarkable fightback.
Shillong Lajong made an aggressive start, earning a free-kick within the opening 30 seconds. Phrangki Buam’s dangerous delivery into the penalty area created an early threat, but Langsning managed to clear the danger. Jota then tested goalkeeper Rajat Paul Lyngdoh with a fifth-minute effort from outside the box, although Lyngdoh recovered after initially spilling the shot.
Langsning quickly demonstrated that they were not prepared to sit back. In the eighth minute, Chusrang Sangma’s long throw caused problems inside the Shillong Lajong penalty area, with the ball eventually striking the crossbar before the defence cleared it.
The match continued at a high tempo, with both teams creating opportunities. Shillong Lajong came close to taking the lead in the 13th minute when Sana sent the ball across an unguarded goal towards Abhay Gurung, but the forward could not make the necessary contact.
Langsning also threatened, with Sangma’s low effort blocked by Joedson Dos Santos in the 18th minute. Another long-range attempt five minutes later was comfortably collected by Shillong Lajong goalkeeper Ranit Sarkar.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 26th minute. A defensive error allowed Jota to take advantage after Joedson’s attempted pass towards him was intercepted by Langsning captain Atlanson Kharmaw. The loose ball fell perfectly for Jota, who drove into the box before calmly slotting the ball past the goalkeeper.
Just four minutes later, Shillong Lajong doubled their lead through another impressive piece of attacking play. Sana produced a clever backheel to release Jota, who showed excellent skill to beat his marker before finding the far corner with a composed finish.
Langsning, however, refused to surrender. Syed Ahmed forced a smart save from Sarkar in the 37th minute, while Mukhim headed over the crossbar four minutes later following another dangerous long throw from Sangma.
Shillong Lajong started the second half with an opportunity to extend their advantage, but Buam’s low effort was saved by Lyngdoh. Langsning responded almost immediately. In the 49th minute, Sangma delivered from the left and Mukhim found space inside the box to head home from close range.
The goal transformed the momentum of the match. Langsning began pushing forward with greater confidence, while Shillong Lajong were forced deeper into their own half. Their pressure eventually paid off in the 63rd minute. Mukhim showed composure to leave a crossfield pass for Denelson Pyngrope, whose delivery was met by Wadajied Kynsai Ryngkhlem. The forward produced a powerful header to level the contest at 2-2.
Both teams then went in search of a decisive goal. Shillong Lajong nearly regained the lead when Buam created space inside the box in the 69th minute, but Lyngdoh blocked his attempted cutback.
The home side eventually regained the advantage in the 83rd minute. Captain Kenstar Kharshong delivered a precise cross from the left, finding Sana unmarked at the far post. Sana made no mistake with his header, beating Lyngdoh to make it 3-2.
Langsning once again demonstrated their fighting spirit. Deep into second-half stoppage time, a short-corner routine created another opportunity. The resulting cross was not cleared by Shillong Lajong, allowing Syed Ahmed to rise at the back post and head home the dramatic equaliser.
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The final whistle confirmed a 3-3 draw, enough for Shillong Lajong to finish top of Group E with seven points and advance to the quarterfinals. Langsning finished second with five points after a spirited tournament campaign.
The result also confirmed East Bengal and Jamshedpur FC as the other quarterfinalists qualifying as the two best second-placed teams across the tournament, with their superior goal-difference records proving decisive.
