Nelson Rymbai's 90th-Minute Winner Gives Shillong Lajong FC Opening-Day Victory Over Mohammedan SC

Shillong Lajong FC began their Indian Football League (IFL) 2026-27 campaign with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Mohammedan SC at the Kalyani Stadium on Saturday, October 31. 

Substitute Nelson Rymbai struck in the 90th minute to settle a fiercely contested encounter and secure all three points for the visitors. After dominating possession and creating several opportunities throughout the match, Shillong Lajong finally found the breakthrough in the closing moments. Abelson Jachi was instrumental in the decisive move, winning possession near the Mohammedan penalty area before driving forward and cutting the ball back for Rymbai. 

The substitute made no mistake with his right-footed finish, giving the visitors a crucial late lead. It was a deserved reward for Shillong's attacking persistence, although Mohammedan goalkeeper Nikhil Deka had kept his side in the contest with a series of outstanding saves.

Shillong Lajong established control from the opening exchanges, moving the ball confidently and using the width of the pitch to stretch Mohammedan's defensive structure. Damaitphang Lyngdoh and João Vitor de Paula Morais, popularly known as Jota, were influential in the attacking third, while captain Kenstar Kharshong and Overkindness L Mawnai helped organise the forward movement.

Mohammedan, meanwhile, adopted a deeper defensive approach, looking to absorb pressure and threaten through counter-attacks. Shillong's first significant opportunity arrived in the 20th minute when defender Joedson dos Santos unleashed a powerful effort. Deka initially fumbled the ball but recovered quickly to gather it safely.

Two minutes later, Jota combined with Lyngdoh and Everbrightson Sana in an attacking move that appeared to be developing into a dangerous opportunity. However, Mohammedan defender Juwel Ahmed Mazumder produced an excellent tackle to prevent Sana from getting his shot away.

The visitors continued to probe through the flanks, with Jota particularly dangerous. Mohammedan attempted to find attacking opportunities through F Lalremsanga and forward Thokchom Adison Singh, but their progress was limited. Lalremsanga was eventually forced off with an injury, with Lalthankima coming on as his replacement.

Deka and Sarkar produce crucial first-half saves

Shillong came closest to scoring in the 41st minute when Jota won possession near the halfway line and played a forward pass into Sana's path. The forward raced towards goal and found himself one-on-one with Deka, but the Mohammedan goalkeeper reacted brilliantly to block his near-post attempt with his foot and send the ball behind for a corner.

Captain Kenstar threatened from the resulting set-piece two minutes later, directing a header towards goal that Deka gathered comfortably. Mohammedan responded almost immediately. Captain Mahitosh Roy produced a left-footed effort towards the far post, forcing Shillong goalkeeper Ranit Sarkar into a diving save. Sarkar managed to get his fingertips to the ball and divert it behind for a corner.

The first-half statistics reflected Shillong's dominance in possession and attacking intent. The visitors registered 10 shots, although only two tested the goalkeeper. Mohammedan managed just two attempts, but both were on target.

Despite the difference in attacking volume, the teams went into half-time level at 0-0.

The second half began at an increased tempo, with both teams looking to find the opening goal. Mohammedan defender Hira Mondal made an important interception in the 48th minute to deny Jota an opportunity to shoot. Within the next few minutes, Mahitosh came close to breaking the deadlock with a long-range effort that narrowly curled away from the far post.

At the other end, Kenstar attempted to create an opportunity through a cross from the left, but Juwel Ahmed was alert to intercept. Mohammedan gradually began finding more opportunities through quick combinations. In the 58th minute, Tangva Ragui linked up with Lalthankima, who played the ball into Adison's path. The forward found himself in a promising position but sent his effort into the side netting.

Shillong responded through Jota a minute later, although his attempt lacked the power to trouble Deka. The hosts came particularly close in the 68th minute when Adison produced an excellent run down the left and played a through ball towards substitute Maharabam Maxion. However, Overkindness timed his challenge perfectly to prevent Maxion from getting a shot away.

Shillong immediately threatened at the other end. Lamlallian's long-range effort forced Deka into a diving save, and the resulting corner produced another major opportunity. Joedson rose to meet the delivery with a powerful header, but Deka made an outstanding save to his left, getting a hand to the ball just before it crossed the goal line.

The Mohammedan goalkeeper continued his impressive performance in the 74th minute, denying Shillong substitute Tremiki Lamurong with another important stop from inside the penalty area.

Mohammedan had an excellent opportunity to take the lead two minutes later. Lalthankima broke through the defence and found space inside the box, but delayed his shot. With Sarkar advancing, he squared the ball towards Adison, whose effort was saved by the Shillong goalkeeper.

Both teams continued searching for a winner. Kenstar came agonisingly close in the 85th minute when he met a cross with a powerful header, only to see the ball crash against the woodwork. Mohammedan responded with a dangerous free-kick in the 89th minute, but Mahitosh's effort sailed inches over the crossbar.

The decisive moment arrived in the 90th minute. Abelson Jachi won possession near the Mohammedan penalty area, drove forward and cut the ball back into the path of Nelson Rymbai. The substitute calmly guided his right-footed finish into the net to give Shillong Lajong a 1-0 lead.

Rymbai nearly added another in the fourth minute of stoppage time, but Deka punched his powerful effort away.

The final whistle confirmed a valuable opening-day victory for Shillong Lajong. After a contest in which both goalkeepers produced several important interventions, it was Rymbai's late contribution that made the difference.

For Shillong, the three points provide an ideal start to their IFL 2026-27 campaign. For Mohammedan SC, the defeat will be frustrating after defending resolutely for almost the entire match, only to concede in the final minute.