Sreenidi Deccan remains third in the IFL Championship round. | Photo Credit: AIFF MEDIA

Sreenidi Deccan FC and Shillong Lajong FC dropped crucial points in the title race as both teams played out a 1-1 draw in a championship phase fixture 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 which was cancelled by a penalty converted by Phrangki Buam in the second half. Rudra Ved of Shillong Lajong was adjudged the Player of the Match.

The result meant that both sides have 22 points each with just two matches remaining and Diamond Harbour, which is currently with 28 points, can wrap up the title in its next match on May 17 against Dempo SC if it secures just a point.

The home side capitalised on its 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 recycled the ball back into the danger area. 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, creating a couple of openings with his pace and trickery, but the Lajong defence remained composed 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 palmed the effort away before the rebound was cleared to safety. At the other end, Figo Syndai’s free-kick was comfortably gathered by the goalkeeper, marking Shillong Lajong’s only shot on target in the opening half hour.

The visitor dominated possession in the final quarter of the half but was unable to create any clear-cut opportunities, with Sreenidi Deccan dropping numbers behind the ball to protect its one-goal lead heading into the break.

Shillong Lajong began 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 shift eventually brought the equaliser just before the hour mark.

Everbrightson Sana dropped deep to collect the ball before threading a through pass into the path of Phrangki Buam. The forward’s first touch was slightly loose, giving Lalthankhuma an opportunity to clear, but the defender missed the ball and brought down Buam in the process. Buam stepped up and calmly converted the resulting penalty to level the scores.

Lajong continued to push for a winner and looked the more threatening side going forward. Its best opportunity came from a well-worked set-piece as right-back Kitboklang Khyriem delivered a cross that was headed into the path of Kenstar Kharshong. The captain controlled the ball well, but his left-footed effort was brilliantly saved by Kamaljit Singh.

Both sides pushed for a winner knowing that a draw will not help them in the title race and the last minutes of injury time saw a breath-taking end to end football being played by both sides with the best chances coming inside this period. Hadi Idrissou headed a corner kick into the bottom corner but Ranit Sarkar dived low to keep the defender’s attempt out.

At the other end, substitute Jakob Vanlalhimpuia broke the off-side trap to receive a through pass from Damaitphang Lyngdoh. The striker, in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper tried to dribble past him but was denied by the experienced Kamaljit.

Kamaljit then released the ball quickly which found Sreenidi striker Paulo Cezar who had the goal at his sights but the substitute’s shot was brilliantly blocked by the defender. The home side had one more chance to steal the game in the end, but it was once again denied by the goalkeeper.

In the end, both sides had to be satisfied with just one point giving Diamond Harbour the advantage in the title race.

Published on May 10, 2026