Shillong, Apr 13: Shillong Lajong FC have done enough to guarantee themselves a Top 4 finish in Stage 1 of the Indian Football League 2025-26 and book their place in the Championship Round of Stage 2.
Lajong’s win on Friday against Namdhari and subsequent results by other teams mean that SLFC will definitely finish in the top half of the standings when Stage 1 ends this coming weekend.
On the other hand, it is touch-and-go as to whether either of the other North East clubs – the two Mizoram-based sides Aizawl FC and Chanmari FC – will make it to the Championship Round or have to slug it out in the Relegation Round. They also started the season well but have faded a little since then.
The IFL 2025-26 season will feature a two-stage format. Stage 1 will see the 10 participating clubs compete in a single-leg home-and-away round-robin format. In Stage 2 the teams get divided into two groups. Those that finished in the top half in Stage 1 will advance to a home-and-away Championship Round, while the bottom half will compete in a centralised Relegation Round. (This is according to the All India Football Federation website. Other news outlets report that the Top 6 go to the Championship Round and the Bottom 4 to the Relegation Round.) All points from the initial stage will carry forward to preserve the competitive context of the league. The league toppers at the end of Stage 2 will be crowned the IFL champions and will be promoted to the Indian Super League 2026-27.
It’s been a phenomenal run for Lajong, who went into this season with an all domestic set-up. Such a move had been tried by the Reds before and had ended disastrously with relegation in 2018-19. This time, however, has been completely different with the young guns led by coach Birendra Thapa winning four games (including three on the road), with just two defeats.
Lajong were at one point leading the standings but couldn’t hold on to that. Still, fourth place is impressive and they are behind Rajasthan United solely on goals scored (11 to 10). Phrangki Buam and Everbrightson Mylliempdah are the club’s top scorers with 3 goals each. Tied with three other domestic players, they are the joint top Indian scorers in the league so far.
After a continuous stretch of five away games, SLFC have returned home and will play their last Stage 1 match against Aizawl FC on 18th April at 6:30PM. As the points from Stage 1 are carried into Stage 2, winning could make a world of difference at the end of the season.
(Shillong Lajong FC file photo)
