Shillong, Feb 26: Shillong Lajong will use an all-domestic squad for the Indian Football League 2025-26, with Kenstar Kharshong captaining the side.
Financial reasons are largely behind the move not to sign any foreigners, which mirrors the decision taken in 2018-19 when Lajong were relegated from the I-League (as the IFL was called back then).
Lajong have still yet to publish the names of their squad but it will be led by stalwarts such as Kenstar, vice-captain Phrangki Buam, Siwel Rymbai, Kitboklang Khyriem, Everbrightson Mylliempdah, Saveme Tariang and new signings Overkindness L Mawnai and Manbhakupar Iawphniaw.
SLFC will continue to be led by coach Birendra Thapa, who has had a long association with the club right from his playing days.
Many of his players were part of the Lajong set-up in 2018-19, the year that they won just 3 out of 20 games. Relegation saw the club withdraw from the national leagues for a few seasons before fighting their way back through I-League 2 in 2022-23.
“Players this year have more potential,” Thapa said at a press conference today. “The players are ready now. Back then (2018-19) they were fresh from the academy but now many have I-League experience behind them.”
The IFL 2025-26 season will adopt a new format – teams will play a single leg in Stage 1 and the top five will then compete in a Championship Round and the bottom five in a Relegation Round.
Lajong will start their campaign at home on Sunday at the SSA Stadium against Rajasthan United, with kick-off at 6:30PM.
With Indian football going through much-publicised difficulties, there was a huge question mark over whether we would even get a proper season in 2025-26. The I-League clubs came together, rebranded the league and have had to pledge a great deal of their own money to get the IFL going.
“The costs this year are higher, so the financial constraints are also higher,” SLFC General Manager Habamutlang Lyngdoh said at today’s press conference. “That’s why we’ve taken the decision not to sign foreign players. But that also aligns with our philosophy of developing local talent.”
Surviving this season will be a tall ask of the Lajong boys but they will take some comfort from reaching the semifinals of the Durand Cup last year, again with an all-domestic squad.
(Shillong Lajong file photo)
