Sreenidi Deccan FC and Shillong Lajong FC dropped crucial points in the title race as both teams played out a 1-1 draw in the championship phase of the Indian Football League (IFL) 2025-26 at the Deccan Arena on Sunday
David Castañeda gave Deccan Warriors the lead in the ninth minute, but it was canceled out by a penalty converted by Phrangki Buam in the second half. Rudra Ved of Shillong Lajong was named Player of the Match.
The result meant that both sides had 22 points each with just two games remaining and Diamond Harbour, who currently have 28 points, can clinch the title in the next match on May 17 against Dempo SC if it secures just one point.
The home side took advantage of early pressure to take the lead in the ninth minute. A cross from the left wing was initially cleared by Rudra Ved, but only as far as Lalromawia on the opposite flank, who brought the ball back into the danger zone. Castañeda then produced an acrobatic finish past the diving goalkeeper to score his third goal of the championship phase.
Lalromawia looked lively on the right wing and created a few openings with his pace and trickery, but the Lajong defense remained calm to deal with the danger. Fabrice Kah then tested Ranit Sarkar with a powerful right-footed strike from the edge of the box, but the goalkeeper was able to push the effort away before the rebound was cleared to safety. At the other end, Figo Syndai’s free-kick was comfortably scored by the goalkeeper, marking Shillong Lajong’s only shot on target in the first half hour.
The visitor dominated possession in the final quarter of the half but were unable to create clear-cut chances, with Sreenidi Deccan dropping numbers behind the ball to secure the one-goal lead heading into half-time.
Shillong Lajong started the second half with a noticeable change in its attacking approach, keeping the ball on the ground and relying on short passing combinations that forced Sreenidi Deccan out of shape defensively. The tactical change eventually brought the equalizer just before the hour mark.
Everbrightson Sana dropped deep to collect the ball before delivering a through ball into the path of Phrangki Buam. The attacker’s first touch was slightly loose, giving Lalthankhuma the opportunity to clear, but the defender missed the ball, bringing down Buam. Buam stepped up and calmly converted the resulting penalty to level the scores.
Lajong continued to push for a winner and looked the most threatening side going forward. The best chance came from a well-worked set piece, when right back Kitboklang Khyriem delivered a cross that ended up in the path of Kenstar Kharshong. The captain had good control of the ball, but his left-footed effort was brilliantly saved by Kamaljit Singh.
Both sides pushed for a winner, knowing a draw would not help them in the title race and the final minutes of stoppage time saw some breathtaking end-to-end football played by both sides with the best chances within the period. Hadi Idrissou headed a corner into the bottom corner but Ranit Sarkar dived low to keep out the defender’s effort.
On the other side, substitute Jakob Vanlalhimpuia broke the offside trap and received a through ball from Damaitphang Lyngdoh. The striker tried to dribble past him in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper, but was denied by the experienced Kamaljit.
Kamaljit then quickly released the ball and found Sreenidi striker Paulo Cezar who had the goal in his sights, but the substitute’s shot was brilliantly blocked by the defender. The home team eventually had one more chance to steal the match, but it was again denied by the goalkeeper.
In the end, both sides had to settle for just one point, giving Diamond Harbor the advantage in the title race.
Published on May 10, 2026
