Aizawl, March 12 Chanmari DC and Dempo SC played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in their Indian Football League (IFL) Stage 1 match at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium here on Thursday.
Chanmari took the early lead through Suangaihmuna's header in the 15th minute and extended their advantage in the 43rd minute when Malsawmsanga finished a well-worked move from close range.
Dempo pulled one back just before half-time as Marcus Joseph set up Sebastián Gutiérrez in the 45th minute.
The hosts were reduced to 10 men in the 69th minute after Malsawmsanga Renthlei was shown a red card. Dempo capitalized on the advantage in the 81st minute when Marcus Joseph scored with a powerful strike to level the match at 2-2.
Chanmari FC provisionally moved to the top of the table with five points, while Dempo SC climbed to eighth with two points after the two sides shared the spoils.
Chanmari took control of the contest early, and the breakthrough arrived in the 15th minute. Chanmari's midfielder Christopher Kamei curled a superb free-kick that struck the post and rebounded into play.
Striker Suangaihmuna reacted quickest and headed the rebound into the net to give Chanmari the lead.
Chanmari doubled their advantage four minutes later through a slick team move.
Suangaihmuna released Kamei down the left flank, and the midfielder delivered a low cross into the centre where Malsawmsanga arrived to tap home with his right foot, making it 2-0.
Dempo, however, responded just before half-time. In the final minute of regulation play, the Chanmari defence failed to clear a dangerous cross, and the ball fell to Dempo midfielder Sebastián Gutiérrez.
He combined with Marcus Leric Jr. Joseph, who laid the ball back for the Colombian striker to fire a shot into the net, reducing the deficit at the break.
The hosts came out strongly after the restart. But the momentum shifted in the 69th minute when Chanmari's Malsawmsanga Renthlei was shown a red card for denying a potential goal-scoring opportunity, reducing the hosts to 10 men.
Sensing an opportunity, Dempo pushed forward in search of an equaliser.
The pressure finally paid off in the 81st minute. Marcus Joseph won possession high up the pitch and unleashed a powerful shot towards the near post that beat Zothanmawia to level the score at 2-2.
The closing stages saw both teams push for a winner. Despite Dempo throwing men forward in the final minutes, Chanmari held firm defensively to ensure the match ended in a draw.