Aizawl, March 12 (NationPress) In an exciting first match of Gameweek 3 of the Indian Football League (IFL) 2025-26 Stage 1, Chanmari DC and Dempo SC fought to a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Aizawl this Thursday.

Chanmari gained an early advantage with Suangaihmuna heading in a goal at the 15-minute mark, and soon extended their lead to two in the 43rd minute, thanks to Malsawmsanga finishing a well-executed move from close range. Just before half-time, Dempo struck back as Marcus Joseph assisted Sebastián Gutiérrez in the 45th minute to narrow the gap.

The match turned in the 69th minute when Chanmari's Malsawmsanga Renthlei received a red card, leaving his team with ten players. Seizing the opportunity, Dempo equalized in the 81st minute with a powerful shot from Marcus Joseph, leveling the score at 2-2.

With this draw, Chanmari temporarily topped the table with five points, while Dempo rose to eighth place with two points after sharing the points.

In the initial moments of the match, Dempo threatened the Chanmari goal, but Chanmari's captain and goalkeeper Zothanmawia made a critical save to keep the score level.

Gradually, Chanmari gained the upper hand, with Brazilian winger Joao Vitor de Paula Morais, known as Jota, causing constant problems for the Dempo defense on the left side.

The breakthrough came when Chanmari's midfielder Christopher Kamei took a brilliant free-kick that hit the post and rebounded back into play. Suangaihmuna was quick to respond, heading the rebound into the net to give Chanmari the lead.

Continuing their offensive, Chanmari sought to extend their lead, but Dempo's defense held strong. In the 38th minute, Suangaihmuna played a clever pass for Malsawmsanga KC, but his attempt was blocked by a determined Dempo defense.

Chanmari doubled their lead with a team effort four minutes later. Suangaihmuna sent Kamei down the left, whose low cross was converted by Malsawmsanga for a 2-0 scoreline.

Dempo fought back just before the break. In the dying moments of the first half, a failure to clear a dangerous cross by Chanmari allowed Gutiérrez to combine with Marcus Joseph, who assisted the Colombian striker to fire a shot into the net, closing the gap.

The second half saw Dempo emerge with urgency, with goalkeeper Ashish Sibi making crucial saves to deny both Malsawmsanga and Jota.

After the red card incident, Dempo pushed forward for an equalizer, with Pruthvesh Pednekar coming close shortly after, missing by inches.

In the 81st minute, their persistence paid off as Marcus Joseph leveled the match with a powerful strike that beat Zothanmawia.

As the match drew to a close, both teams fought for a winner, but despite Dempo's attempts in the final minutes, Chanmari's defense held firm, ensuring the match ended in a draw.