Shillong, May 23: Shillong Lajong FC finished as runners-up in the Indian Football League 2025-26, their best ever performance in this tournament (which had previously been known as the I-League).
Lajong won 3-0 tonight against Diamond Harbour FC in Kalyani, West Bengal. DHFC, however, celebrated after as they had already wrapped up the champions’ title by drawing with Dempo SC a few days ago. Diamond Harbour will be promoted to next season’s Indian Super League.
Today Everbrightson Mylliempdah (30′), Gladdy Kharbuli (45’+2) and Phrangki Buam (54′) were the scorers in Lajong’s eighth victory of the season.
Coach Birendra Thapa made just one change from starting line-up in the game against Rajasthan United, bringing in Ephraim Lalremtluanga in place of Saveme Tariang.
It’s been a stunning season for the Reds. As mentioned, they have never ended a season this high up in the standings, ever since they made their debut in the I-League in 2009-10. Even just last year they were a lowly eighth.
That they are the runners-up with a totally domestic squad speaks volumes – both for the health of Indian football (poor) and the club’s own structure and youth set-up (great).
Phrangki finished 2025-26 as the top Indian scorer with 8 goals, which is just one fewer than the IFL’s overall Top Scorer (Marcus Joseph with 9).
Lajong have finished with second-most wins (8), joint fewest losses (2), second-highest goals scored (28), fewest goals conceded (12) and the biggest goal difference (+16).
This was not the first season that Lajong have gone all-domestic. It happened in 2018-19 too and that season saw SLFC relegated with zero wins and they didn’t attempt to rejoin the I-League again until before the 2023-24 season. It made a lot of observers (TSR included) nervous, then, this year when they chose to go down the same route, largely due to financial reasons. But the boys have proved us wrong and how!
It’s very likely that Lajong will cash in and sell off some of the club’s current crop of players but the fans will hope that more excellent youngsters can come through the ranks for next year.
Shillong Lajong squad today:
Ranit Sarkar (GK), Kitboklang Khyriem, Rudra Ved (sub Overkindness L Mawnai 85′), Ephraim Lalremtluanga, Kenstar Kharshong, Damaitphang Lyngdoh, Gladdy Kharbuli (sub Abhay Gurung 76′), Lamlallian (sub Maxderidoff Wahlang 85′), Figo Syndai sub (Tremiki Lamurong 67′), Everbrightson Mylliempdah (sub Jakob Vanlalhimpuia 76′), Phrangki Buam
(Indian Football League photos)
