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Shillong Lajong FC started their 135th IndianOil Durand Cup with an impressive 2-0 win over Nongkseh Sports and Cultural Club in the Shillong Derby in the opening fixture of Group E here at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Friday, 31 July 2026. Everbrightson Sana and Tremiki Lamurong scored the decisive goals for the side from Shillong.
All 43 matches of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup will be broadcast LIVE on the Sony Sports Network well and streamed live on SonyLIV
Shillong Lajong head coach Birendra Thapa named a strong starting XI featuring the core of the squad that finished runners-up in the 2025–26 Indian Football League season, alongside new Brazilian signings Arthur Pangaro in defence and forward Jota. Meanwhile, Nongkseh SS & CC head coach Joseph Naik fielded an all-Indian lineup for the club’s maiden Durand Cup fixture, led by former Shillong Lajong captain Hardy Cliff Nongbri and featuring several players with experience in the Indian Super League and Indian Football League.
Nongkseh showed no signs of being overawed by their more fancied opponents as the Meghalaya State League champions pressed high from the outset and dominated the early midfield exchanges. The Upper Shillong-based side also created the first chance of the match when Sheen Stevenson Sohktung capitalised on a defensive lapse and unleashed a left-footed strike from the edge of the penalty area. His effort beat the goalkeeper but crashed against the crossbar and bounced away to safety.
Shillong Lajong gradually grew into the contest and began to dictate proceedings in midfield, with Lamlallian Vaiphei and Gladdy Kharbuli orchestrating play from the centre of the park. The Red Dragons looked dangerous on the counter-attack, a hallmark of their playing style, while also threatening from set-piece situations. However, they lacked the decisive final ball allowing the Nongkseh defence to remain resolute and their goalkeeper relatively untroubled throughout the first half.
Everbrightson Sana scuffed his effort after finding space inside the box at the end of a well worked move from the midfield. New signing Jota also saw his shot go wide of the post in the final moments of the first half after being setup by Phrangki Buam as both sides went into the half tied on 0-0.
The Red Dragons created another promising opportunity within minutes of the restart when Jota slipped Everbrightson Sana through on goal with a well-weighted pass. The forward brought the ball under control and attempted to delicately lift it over the advancing Guidle Syiemlieh, but the Nongkseh goalkeeper stood his ground, and produced an excellent save to deny the striker.
Nongkseh squandered a glorious opportunity to take the lead just after the hour mark. Aenam Graffenberg Jurwa outmuscled Shillong Lajong captain Kenstar Kharshong on the edge of the penalty area before drawing goalkeeper Ranit Sarkar off his line. The winger then unselfishly squared the ball across the six-yard box for Khyriem Wahlang, who somehow blazed his effort high over the crossbar with the goal at his mercy.
Shillong Lajong made Nongkseh pay for that missed opportunity by breaking the deadlock ten minutes later. Jota clipped a lofted pass over the defence towards the opposite flank, where Phrangki Buam capitalised after the Nongkseh backline failed to clear. The winger produced a clever touch into the path of Everbrightson Sana, beating the advancing goalkeeper to the ball. Everbrightson kept his composure and tapped into an empty net to hand the Red Dragons the lead.
Phrangki Buam turned provider once again as Shillong Lajong wrapped up the contest four minutes from time. Spotting Tremiki Lamurong’s well-timed run into the penalty area, Buam produced a clever reverse pass from the edge of the box to split the defence. Tremiki burst clear of his marker and calmly slotted a left-footed finish through the legs of the advancing goalkeeper.
Shillong Lajong controlled the remaining of the match from there on and started their Durand Cup campaign with an impressive win.
Tomorrow’s Match
NorthEast United FC vs Bodoland FC (Group F), 4:30 PM, Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati
