Shillong, Apr 19: Stage 1 of the Indian Football League 2025-26 concluded today and Shillong Lajong FC, who smashed Aizawl FC yesterday, finished the regular part of the season in second place, making this the best – by far – performance they’ve ever had in the tournament (which was previously known as the I-League).
Lajong had jumped to second yesterday but could have fallen back to third or fourth if Rajasthan United had won by a big margin (instead they were only 2-1 winners against Dempo) or if Sreenidi Deccan had won at all (they ended up losing 2-0 to Real Kashmir) today.
Dempo’s loss also meant that Chanmari, in their debut season, secured fifth place and, with it, a place in the Championship Round of Stage 2, which will begin at some point (there has been no intimation from the All India Football Federation yet on the start date). The other North East club, 2016-17 winners Aizawl, will be in the Relegation Round of Stage 2, fighting to avoid the drop.
The points from Stage 1 are meant to be carried over into Stage 2. This means that Lajong will start 5 points behind leaders Diamond Harbour, who should be favourites to take the title (also in their debut season) and, with it, promotion to the Indian Super League.
Even if they don’t get to the very top, this has been a sensational performance by SLFC. Coached by Birendra Thapa (who was given the lead role this season for the first time), the club decided to go with an all-domestic squad largely because of financial restraints. This worried fans (and even TSR) as Lajong had tried this in 2018-19 and were relegated but we have been proven spectacularly wrong. Before the season Thapa said “Players this year have more potential. The players are ready now. Back then (2018-19) they were fresh from the academy but now many have I-League experience behind them.” And, boy, was he right.
The Reds have finished with five wins, two draws and two defeats. The only real blemish was the 3-0 defeat at Dempo but the young charges didn’t let that get them down too long. After nine rounds Lajong have scored 16 goals (second highest) and conceded just nine (second lowest). Phrangki Buam and Everbrightson Mylliempdah have each scored four goals each (making them the joint highest Indian scorers this season) and Tremiki Lamurong (who scored a brace just minutes after coming on as a substitute against Aizawl) is not far behind on three.
Thapa has largely stuck with a core set of players in his starting lineups, with Everbright and Phrangki leading at the front. The last couple of games has seen Ranit Sarkar take the place of Siwel Rymbai in goal and his heroics against Aizawl demonstrated his worth. And, when needed, the substitutes have delivered and every Lajong fan will be hoping for a continued run of success in Stage 2.
(Indian Football League photo)