Shillong, Nov 7: Shillong Lajong snatched a stoppage time winner to beat Sanmer in the first match of Group B in the SSA Champions Cup 2026 at the SSA Stadium here on Saturday.
After a dogged defence that frustrated Lajong for the entire match, Wilbert Marbaniang (90’+4) bundled a cross over the line in what was the last action of the well-contested fixture.
Lajong were Shillong Premier League runners-up this year and had also finished second in the inaugural Champions Cup in 2025. Sanmer, meanwhile, were victors in the Third Division 2026 and this is their first outing in the Champions Cup.
Goalkeeper Akash Thapa and the entire Sanmer defence were kept extra busy today but they held on well. Added to missed opportunities from Lajong, it looked like the game would finish goalless, that is until Denzil Kharshandi worked hard to keep hold of the ball deep on the right flank before turning in a cross that Wilbert either chested or headed into the back of the net.
At the start, SLFC had a look-in in the fourth minute but Badondor Marbaniang’s header was wayward from close range.
Despite being under pressure at the back, Sanmer looked to take the attack to Lajong when opportunities arose. The best of these in the first half was in the 12th minute when Hilford Lyngkhei fed a through ball to Khrawkupar L Nongbri, who had his effort smothered by Lajong goalie Banshanskhem Kharsyntiew.
Lajong continued to have the edge in the second half, with Colinsalmon Lyngdoh off target narrowly in the 60th minute and Riborlang L Lyngkhoi being denied by Akash in the 84th.
Lajong thought they should have had a goal minutes from the end, when Akash collected an aerial ball in the box but collided with one of his own players while doing so. He went to ground and released the ball as he was in obvious pain but the referee had not blown the whistle, so Lajong pounced on it and scored. However, this was not allowed to stand.
