Shillong Lajong win 1-0 at Kalyani as Nelson Rymbai nets 90th-minute winner in IFL opener
Shillong Lajong FC defeated Mohammedan SC 1-0 at Kalyani Stadium in Kalyani on October 31, 2026, in the Indian Football League (IFL) 2026–27 season opener, with substitute Nelson Rymbai scoring in the 90th minute. The decisive move came after Abelson Jachi won possession near the box and cut the ball back for Rymbai, who finished with his right foot to secure all three points for the visitors.
Shillong Lajong controlled large spells of the match, using the flanks and patient possession to create openings, with Damaitphang Lyngdoh and João Vitor de Paula Morais (Jota) influential in attack. Captain Kenstar Kharshong and Overkindness L Mawnai helped marshal the visitors’ forward movement, while Mohammedan adopted a deeper defensive approach and sought chances on the break. Mohammedan SC head coach Sudhir Mishra made an early substitution when F Lalremsanga sustained an injury and was replaced by Lalthankima. Mohammedan goalkeeper Nikhil Deka produced several key saves that kept the hosts competitive.
The first half featured several openings for Shillong Lajong. In the 20th minute Joedson dos Santos fired a powerful effort that Nikhil Deka initially fumbled before recovering to claim the ball, and in the 22nd minute Jota linked with Lyngdoh and Everbrightson Sana but Mohammedan defender Juwel Ahmed Mazumder cleared with an excellent tackle. Sana went one-on-one with Deka in the 41st minute and the goalkeeper made a crucial near-post save, and captain Kenstar directed a header at goal in the 43rd minute that Deka gathered. Mohammedan countered late in the half when captain Mahitosh Roy tested Shillong goalkeeper Ranit Sarkar, and the teams went in goalless despite Shillong registering 10 first-half shots, only two of which tested the goalkeeper, while Mohammedan had both of their first-half attempts on target.
The second half opened with more end-to-end play. Hira Mondal produced an important interception in the 48th minute to deny Jota a shooting opportunity, and Mahitosh came close in the 52nd minute with a long-range effort that curled narrowly wide. Kenstar’s cross was intercepted by Juwel shortly after, and in the 58th minute Tangva Ragui combined with Lalthankima to find Adison, whose attempt went into the side netting. Jota had another chance in the 59th minute but his shot lacked power and was collected by Deka.
Momentum swung between the sides in the final 25 minutes. Adison’s run in the 68th minute released substitute Maharabam Maxion, but Overkindness L Mawnai timed a challenge to prevent a shot. Lamlallian’s long-range effort forced a diving save from Deka, and Joedson met a corner with a powerful header that Deka pushed away with a left-hand save just before the line. In the 74th minute Deka denied substitute Tremiki Lamurong with another important stop, and two minutes later Lalthankima’s run created a chance for Adison that Ranit Sarkar saved.
The match remained finely poised as Dinesh Meitei made a vital intervention in the 79th minute, Kenstar’s header struck the woodwork in the 85th, and Mahitosh’s 89th-minute free-kick flew just over. The breakthrough arrived in the 90th minute when Abelson Jachi won possession near the Mohammedan box, drove forward and cut the ball back for Rymbai to slot in. Rymbai’s follow-up effort in the 90+4th minute was punched away by Deka, but the 1-0 scoreline stood.
Nelson Rymbai’s 90th-minute goal delivered Shillong Lajong all three points in their IFL 2026–27 season opener at Kalyani Stadium on October 31, 2026.