Shillong, May 16: FC Bengaluru United secured promotion to next season’s Indian Football League by finishing second in the 2025-26 I-League 2 yesterday.
The club did so with two Meghalayans in the ranks – Aenam Jyrwa (front row first left) and Allen Lyngdoh Nongbri (back row third right).
Delhi FC (17 points) finished on top of the standings and will be heading back to the IFL after playing one season in 2024-25 (when the tournament was still known as the I-League). Bengaluru United claimed 15 points from their eight games, the same as United SC. As their lone meeting had ended in a draw, goal difference was used to separate them and by this measure FCBU had +6 and United SC +2.
Meanwhile, there were two North East clubs taking part – Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC finished fifth while NEROCA were last and relegated to I-League 3.
Bengaluru United have played in I-League 2 since 2019-20 but without gaining promotion.
Allen, a left-back, has been with the club since January 2025 and in February of this year his agent announced that his contract has been extended into 2026-27.
Aenam, a midfielder, rejoined Bengaluru United from Rangdajied United. He played for the Karnataka-based side in 2021-22 and 2022-23.
In addition, Bishal Lama, who previously kept goal for Shillong Lajong, was one of their three goalkeepers this season, though he didn’t get any game time.
Allen started seven matches and also appeared as a substitute. Aenam was in the starting lineup four times and was used as a substitute, against Sporting Clube de Goa, which he scored his only goal.
(Photo: FC Bengaluru)
