By Our Reporter
Shillong, April 26: Shillong Lajong FC’s hopes of lifting the Indian Football League 2025-26 title suffered a major setback after they were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Dempo SC in their Championship Round clash at the SSA Stadium here on Sunday.
The stalemate kept Lajong in second place on 18 points, but the result allowed leaders Diamond Harbour FC to extend their advantage to seven points after their 2-0 win over Chanmari FC a day earlier. With only four matches remaining and all Stage 1 points carried forward into the Championship Round, Lajong now face an uphill battle in the title race.
Having lost to Dempo in Stage 1, Lajong were eager for revenge, and head coach Birendra Thapa retained the same starting XI that secured victory over Aizawl FC in their previous outing.
Backed by strong home support, Shillong started brightly and looked dangerous from the opening whistle. Inside the first minute, a long ball into the box found Phrangki Buam, but Dempo’s defence reacted quickly to clear the danger.
The hosts dominated possession and pressed high, unsettling Dempo’s attempts to build from the back. In the eighth minute, Lamlallian found space in the attacking third and fired towards goal, only for Aubin Kouakou to make an important block.
Shillong continued to create chances, with Everbrightson Sana Mylliempdah testing goalkeeper Ashish Sibi from distance before the best opportunity of the first half arrived in the 34th minute. Kouakou lost possession, allowing Sana a clear run on goal, but Jose Luis Moreno Pena made a superb recovery tackle to deny the forward.
Dempo survived another scare when Damaitphang Lyngdoh’s low cross flashed across the six-yard box without a touch, while Buam forced a save from a tight angle and Lyngdoh rattled the woodwork from distance just before halftime.
After the break, Shillong resumed their attacking intent, but Dempo also showed greater threat. In the 58th minute, Sebastián Gutiérrez struck a sharp first-time volley from a narrow angle, forcing Ranit Sarkar into an excellent save.
The visitors nearly snatched the lead in the 67th minute from a set-piece, but Sarkar once again stood firm before Marcus Leric Jr Joseph fired the rebound over the bar.
Shillong threw everything forward in search of a winner and came agonisingly close in stoppage time. Substitute Abelson Jachi forced Sibi into spilling the ball, and Kenstar Kharshong lifted the rebound over the goalkeeper, only to see his effort crash against the crossbar.
Despite registering 20 shots, including five on target, Shillong could not find a way past Dempo’s disciplined defence, leaving their title ambitions hanging by a thread.
Lajong will next face Chanmari FC in a North East derby on May 2 at 6:30 pm at the SSA Stadium, where nothing less than a win will be needed to keep their championship dream alive.
