Shillong, Apr 19: Chanmari FC (pictured) became the second and final team to secure promotion to I-League 2025-26 on Saturday.
Despite losing 1-0 on home turf to Diamond Harbour FC, who claimed the I-League 2 title, Chanmari were assured of a top-two finish after their nearest challengers Sporting Clube de Goa dropped points in a 1-1 draw at FC Bengaluru United.
Diamond Harbour, based out of West Bengal, had already wrapped up the title earlier on and added to their impressive tally for a total of 37 points from 15 games. They have been unbeaten throughout the season, with 11 wins and four draws.
Chanmari have netted 30 points (9W, 3D, 3L) and third-placed Sporting Clube 26 (7W, 5D, 3L). Three Manipur-based clubs – NEROCA (14 points), TRAU (12) and KLASA (7) are at the bottom, in seventh, eighth and ninth places respectively.
With one round still to go, TRAU could take seventh by beating NEROCA in the season-ender on 26th April. The match will decide who will join KLASA in being relegated from I-League 2.
Chanmari are the second club from Mizoram to make it to the I-League after Aizawl FC, who were champions in 2016-17 but who had a bit of a scare this season until they managed to do just enough to avoid relegation. Shillong Lajong FC are the other North East club to be part of the I-League at present.
The other regional teams in the league from years gone by are United Sikkim, Rangdajied United, Royal Wahingdoh, NEROCA and TRAU.
(Photo: I-League Media)
