Aizawl, March 19 – Shillong Lajong FC defeated Chanmari FC 2-1 in the 2025-26 Indian Football League at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium on Thursday, thanks to a brace by Phrangki Buam. This win puts them at the top of the table with seven points from four games, ahead of Rajasthan United based on goal difference. Chanmari are sixth with five points from as many games.
Chanmari took the lead early on through Christo Kamei (16'), before Buam (45+2' p, 90+5') scored in the closing minutes of both halves to secure the win for the away team.
The match began with intense action, with chances at both ends resulting in memorable saves from both goalkeepers. Shillong's Siwel Rymbai, who was busier of the two, saved shots from Suamsawnga and the second Brazilian on the team, Jota, early on.
However, Kamei breached their defense in the 16th minute with a stunning left-footed shot over the wall. The free-kick earned by Aaron resulted in a foul from Shillong captain Kenstar Kharshong, who was also booked.
Chanmari continued to dominate possession and were the more attacking of the two sides, with Jota initiating most of the attacks from the left wing and giving Muasang a tough time.
Lajong equalized against the run of play in the first-half injury time. Everbrightson Sana managed to get past Papuia, intercepting a long ball. Although the danger seemed to have been averted, Chanmari goalkeeper Zothanmawia lunged in, forcing the referee to point to the spot. Buam hit the underside of the crossbar with a powerful penalty and saw the ball go in. Both teams went into the break level.
Chanmari began the second half in a similar attacking fashion. Amuana and Jota missed some clear chances that could have put the game beyond Shillong.
With the introduction of Tremeiki alongside Buam, Lajong injected more pace into their attack and started creating more chances as the game reached its end stages.
Their efforts paid off when, with six minutes added on, substitute Jakob made a run on the left flank, before finding Buam with a perfectly-weighted cross. The latter made no mistake in scoring past Zothanmawia. The clock showed a minute more of added time left, and Shillong had pulled off a stunning victory.