Aizawl/Hyderabad, March 18 (NationPress) In a significant matchup, Chanmari FC will contest against Shillong Lajong FC in the opening game of two scheduled in the Indian Football League (IFL) 2025-26 at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Aizawl on Thursday. The day's second encounter will see Sreenidi Deccan, currently in second place, take on Namdhari Sports Academy at the Deccan Arena in Hyderabad later in the evening.

Chanmari FC, stepping onto their home ground, is determined to clinch another essential victory in front of their devoted supporters. The Aizawl-based newcomers come into this match after a thrilling 2-2 draw against Dempo SC in their previous game.

Guided by head coach Victor Lalbiakmawia, Chanmari has shown they can compete with established teams. They plan to leverage their strong defensive line and quick counter-attacks led by Brazilian winger Jota and the accurate set-piece deliveries from Christopher Kamei.

However, they will be without defender Malsawmsanga Renthlei, who is serving a suspension due to a red card received in the match against Dempo.

On the opposing side, Shillong Lajong FC is looking to recover from a narrow 1-2 loss at home to Diamond Harbour FC. The Meghalaya club, under the management of Birendra Thapa, conceded two early goals but demonstrated a strong comeback spirit in the second half.

Reflecting on their previous game, Thapa stated, "Bouncing back from our last defeat is crucial since the league is short. Securing three points would greatly uplift our morale. The early goals we conceded against Diamond Harbour were costly. We’ll learn from those errors and aim for an improved performance."

Thapa also recognized the challenge posed by Chanmari, stating, "They are a formidable team with talented players, which is why they remain unbeaten. I want my players to enjoy the game."

Player Ephraim Lalremtluanga added, "Our aim is to play quality football and secure all three points."

With both teams relying on homegrown talent and a vibrant attacking style, this afternoon’s match is set to be an engaging tactical showdown.

All Eyes On Sreenidi Deccan Against Namdhari SA

In the evening match, Sreenidi Deccan FC returns to the Deccan Arena after clinching a critical 1-0 victory over Gokulam Kerala FC. Under the leadership of head coach Carlos Manuel Vaz Pinto, the Deccan Warriors have made a strong comeback, temporarily elevating themselves to the top of the standings with their stellar defensive strategy.

The hosts aim to build on this solid base and implement a structured game plan to achieve another crucial victory at home. Emphasizing the importance of playing in front of their home crowd, Vaz Pinto remarked, "We perform well at home. It’s always a pleasure to play in front of our fans at the Deccan Arena. With five consecutive home games, we intend to leverage our home advantage."

Defender Muhammad Hammad echoed these thoughts, stating, "Our pre-season went well, and we prepared thoroughly. Tomorrow marks our first home match, and if we adhere to our strategy, we should have a successful game. Namdhari is a competitive side, and we've faced them over the past three to four seasons."

Namdhari Sports Academy arrives in Hyderabad hoping to rebound from a dramatic 2-3 loss to Rajasthan United. Under the guidance of head coach Harpreet Singh, they showcased remarkable resilience, coming close to equalizing late in the match before conceding a late goal.

However, Namdhari faces a significant setback defensively, as they will be missing their Ghanaian captain and defensive leader, Lamine Moro, who is suspended after receiving two yellow cards for dissent in their last match.

Aware of the challenge ahead, Vaz Pinto cautioned, "We understand Namdhari's style. They are physically strong and play an aggressive, pressing game. We must be at our best to secure a win against them."

In their last four encounters, Sreenidi Deccan has the upper hand with two victories over Namdhari's one, along with one draw. Their most recent meeting on March 2, 2025, at the same venue saw Namdhari claim a 1-0 win thanks to a goal from Cledson da Silva.