By Our Reporter
Shillong, May 25: There was a time, not very long ago, when the idea of an all-Indian side challenging for the top honours in domestic football sounded romantic rather than realistic. In an era where clubs across the country continue to lean heavily on foreign recruits for experience, goals and stability, few expected a youthful Shillong Lajong FC side to emerge as genuine title contenders in the 2025-26 Indian Football League season.
Yet, over the course of a remarkable campaign filled with grit, fearless football and unwavering belief, Shillong Lajong shattered assumptions and nearly rewrote history.
And as the final whistle confirmed Lajong’s emphatic 3-0 victory over champions Diamond Harbour on Saturday night, the packed stands erupted not merely because of another win, but because supporters realised they had witnessed something much bigger than a runners-up finish. They had watched a homegrown footballing philosophy stand toe-to-toe with some of the most heavily assembled squads in Indian football — and almost come out on top.
Shillong Lajong eventually finished second in the league table with 28 points from 14 matches, just one point behind the champions. Eight wins, four draws and only two defeats reflected a campaign built on consistency and maturity far beyond the average age of the squad.
For a team with an average age of around 23 years, the achievement carried enormous significance.
Head coach Birendra Thapa’s men not only emerged as the league’s best defensive side with the least goals conceded, but also ended with the best goal difference in the competition at +16. More impressively, they did so while playing one of the most attractive attacking brands of football seen throughout the season.Week after week, Lajong’s young footballers played with courage. They pressed high, moved the ball confidently and attacked without fear. There was intensity in their football, but also identity.
In many ways, it felt like the return of the old Shillong football spirit — fearless, technical and deeply rooted in local talent.
Club owner Larsing LD Sawyan admitted the campaign had exceeded expectations and challenged long-held conventions in Indian football.“We challenged conventions and exceeded expectations in Indian football,” Sawyan said while reflecting on the club’s extraordinary season.
He further added that the side showcased “some of the most skillful and appealing football in the league,” while also acknowledging the crucial support received from fans and stakeholders throughout the journey.The numbers only strengthened the story.
Midfielder Phrangki Buam emerged as one of the standout performers of the entire league and was deservedly named the Most Valuable Player (MVP). Competing in a tournament dominated by foreign signings, Buam finished as the second-highest scorer with eight goals, becoming the heartbeat of Shillong Lajong’s midfield. Meanwhile, forward Everbrightson Sana Mylliempdah netted seven goals to finish third in the scoring charts, underlining the attacking quality developed within the club’s structure.
Their performances were not isolated moments of brilliance. They symbolised a larger statement Lajong made this season — that Indian footballers, when trusted and properly nurtured, can compete with the very best.There was also something emotionally stirring about the way the club connected with supporters across Meghalaya and beyond.Every victory seemed personal for the fans.
Every goal from a local player felt like a collective triumph for a football-loving state that has long produced talent but often watched others take centre stage nationally.
This season, Meghalaya football stood firmly under the spotlight.Sawyan revealed that the club now intends to build further on this momentum through long-term developmental projects, including the establishment of a football academy inspired by globally recognised models.
“Our primary objective is to create a centre of excellence for football. This season has shown us what we are capable of achieving,” he said.
Beyond the statistics and accolades, however, Shillong Lajong’s greatest success this season may well have been restoring belief.
Belief that clubs do not always need shortcuts.Belief that patience in youth development still matters.
Belief that local football cultures can thrive in modern Indian football.And perhaps most importantly, belief that trusting Indian talent is not merely an emotional decision anymore — it can also be a competitive one.In a football ecosystem searching for direction, Lajong reminded the country that sustainable growth cannot come solely through expensive signings or quick success.
