Shillong, July 30: Shillong is set for a landmark moment in Meghalaya football as Shillong Lajong FC take on Nongkseh Sports & Social Cultural Club (SS&CC) in the opening Group E fixture of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on July 31.
The fixture will bring together one of Meghalaya’s most established football clubs and a side making its debut in India’s oldest football tournament. It also comes as Shillong hosts the Durand Cup for the third consecutive year, with three local clubs participating in the tournament for the first time.
Shillong Lajong enter the competition with ambitions of going a step further after reaching the semi-finals in each of the previous two editions, their best performances in the tournament.
Head coach Birendra Thapa said the team’s objective is clear after falling short in the semi-finals last time.
“Every tournament you play, you don’t play just to please the people and the fans. You want to win. You want to reach the final and lift the championship. Last time we lost in the semi-final. This time we want to reach the final and win it,” Thapa said.
However, the Lajong coach expects a tough challenge from Nongkseh, noting that the Meghalaya State League champions have recruited several quality players from Shillong.
For Nongkseh SS&CC, the match represents a historic milestone as the club makes its first appearance in the Durand Cup after winning the Meghalaya State League.
The debutants will be led by captain Hardy Cliff Nongbri, who is familiar with his opponents having previously represented Shillong Lajong. Nongbri captained Lajong during their run to the semi-finals of the 133rd edition of the tournament.
“Shillong Lajong is a very good team. I know them very well because they were my teammates,” Nongbri said, adding that Nongkseh have assembled a combination of experienced I-League and ISL players alongside younger talent.
Nongkseh head coach Joseph Naik said his players respect Lajong’s standing in Indian football but are determined to make the most of their opportunity on the national stage.
“We respect Shillong Lajong, they’ve been an important figure in Indian football. But we’ve been working very hard, and now it’s our time to get the job done,” Naik said.
Shillong Lajong captain Kenstar Kharshong also expects a competitive encounter and called on supporters to turn up and enjoy the local derby.
The match carries added significance because several players on both sides know each other well, with some having previously shared dressing rooms or competed against each other from their school days.
Preparations at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium are also nearing completion, with ground staff and organisers working to ensure the venue is ready for the tournament.
With Shillong hosting the prestigious competition for a third successive year, local organisers and supporters are hoping one of Meghalaya’s teams can make a deep run and potentially reach the final.
The opening derby is therefore expected to be more than a battle for three points. For Shillong Lajong, it represents another opportunity to pursue an elusive Durand Cup title, while for Nongkseh SS&CC, it marks the beginning of a new chapter on the national stage.
The Shillong Lajong FC–Nongkseh SS&CC match will be played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong, on July 31, 2026.
