IFL 2026/27: Nelson Rymbai's 90th-minute goal sends Shillong Lajong past Mohammedan SC
Synopsis
Shillong Lajong dominated for 90 minutes, hit the woodwork, and were repeatedly denied by an inspired Nikhil Deka — only for substitute Nelson Rymbai to finally break Mohammedan SC's resistance in stoppage time and hand the Meghalaya club a winning start to their IFL 2026–27 campaign.
Key Takeaways
Substitute Nelson Rymbai scored in the 90th minute to give Shillong Lajong FC a 1-0 win over Mohammedan SC at Kalyani Stadium on 31 October .
The goal was set up by fellow substitute Abelson Jachi , who won possession and cut the ball back inside the Mohammedan box.
Shillong registered 10 shots in the first half alone but were frustrated by goalkeeper Nikhil Deka 's outstanding display throughout.
Captain Kenstar Kharshong struck the woodwork in the 85th minute , just five minutes before the winner arrived.
Mohammedan head coach Sudhir Mishra was forced into an early substitution after F Lalremsanga picked up an injury.
The result gives Shillong Lajong three points from their opening fixture of the IFL 2026–27 season.
Substitute Nelson Rymbai struck in the 90th minute to hand Shillong Lajong FC a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Mohammedan SC at the Kalyani Stadium in Kalyani on 31 October, giving the Meghalaya club a winning start to their Indian Football League (IFL) 2026–27 campaign. The late winner, set up by fellow substitute Abelson Jachi, rewarded a dominant Shillong display that had been repeatedly frustrated by an inspired goalkeeping performance from Nikhil Deka.
How the Decisive Goal Arrived
The breakthrough came deep in stoppage time when Jachi won possession near the Mohammedan penalty area, drove forward and cut the ball back to the unmarked Rymbai. The substitute calmly guided a right-footed finish into the net to end what had been a tense, goalless contest. Rymbai went close to doubling the advantage in the 90+4th minute, but Deka punched his powerful effort clear to preserve the one-goal margin.
Shillong's Dominance and Deka's Defiance
Shillong Lajong controlled large portions of the match, with Damaitphang Lyngdoh and Brazilian winger João Vitor de Paula Morais (Jota) posing a persistent threat in the attacking third. Captain Kenstar Kharshong and Overkindness L. Mawnai orchestrated much of the visitors' forward momentum. The Shillong captain came agonisingly close in the 85th minute when his powerful header crashed against the woodwork.
Deka, however, was the story of the evening for Mohammedan SC. The goalkeeper produced a series of outstanding saves — denying Everbrightson Sana one-on-one in the 41st minute, repelling Joedson dos Santos's header with a diving left-hand stop late in the second half, and keeping out substitute Tremiki Lamurong's thunderous strike from inside the box in the 74th minute.
Mohammedan's Counter-Threat
Mohammedan SC, coached by Sudhir Mishra, adopted a compact defensive shape and looked to exploit transitions. Captain Mahitosh Roy came closest for the hosts — a left-footed effort in the 43rd minute drew a fine save from Shillong goalkeeper Ranit Sarkar, and a long-range curler in the 52nd minute narrowly missed the far post. A free-kick in the 89th minute sailed inches over the crossbar. Mishra was also forced into an early substitution when F Lalremsanga picked up an injury and was replaced by Lalthankima.
In the 58th minute, Thokchom Adison Singh squandered Mohammedan's clearest opening, sending the ball into the side netting after being played in by Tangva Ragui and Lalthankima. Two minutes later, Lalthankima himself had a gilt-edged chance but took too long to shoot, and Adison's follow-up was saved by Sarkar.
Match Context and What It Means
The result gives Shillong Lajong FC three points from their opening fixture of the IFL 2026–27 season. Despite registering 10 shots in the first half alone, the Shillong side had to wait until the final whistle was seconds away before converting their dominance into a lead — a reminder of how fine the margins are in Indian football's second tier. The win will nonetheless boost confidence in the camp ahead of a demanding season.
Point of View
Whose goalkeeping kept Mohammedan alive long enough to nearly steal a point. For Sudhir Mishra's side, the concern is the other end: a compact defensive block is only a viable strategy if the counter-attack converts, and Adison Singh's missed chance in the 58th minute underlines a finishing problem that could haunt them across a long season. Shillong, meanwhile, will take confidence from the result but must find a way to convert dominance into goals before the final whistle — relying on a 90th-minute substitute to do the job is not a sustainable formula.
NationPress
31 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of Shillong Lajong vs Mohammedan SC in IFL 2026–27?
Shillong Lajong FC defeated Mohammedan SC 1-0 at the Kalyani Stadium on 31 October. Substitute Nelson Rymbai scored the only goal in the 90th minute to secure the win.
Who scored the winning goal for Shillong Lajong?
Substitute Nelson Rymbai scored the decisive goal in the 90th minute. He received a cutback from fellow substitute Abelson Jachi and calmly finished with his right foot.
How did Mohammedan SC perform despite the loss?
Mohammedan SC were competitive throughout, relying on a deep defensive shape and quick counter-attacks. Goalkeeper Nikhil Deka was their standout performer, producing multiple crucial saves to keep the score level until the final minute.
What was Shillong Lajong's attacking record in the match?
Shillong Lajong registered 10 shots in the first half alone and dominated possession throughout. However, only two first-half attempts tested the goalkeeper, and captain Kenstar Kharshong struck the woodwork in the 85th minute before Rymbai's late winner.
What is the significance of this result for Shillong Lajong in IFL 2026–27?
The victory gives Shillong Lajong three points from their opening IFL 2026–27 fixture, making it a winning start to the season. It underlines their attacking intent, though converting pressure into goals earlier in matches will be key to sustaining a title challenge.
