Shillong Lajong FC rounded off their Indian Football League (IFL) 2025-26 campaign in emphatic style, defeating reigning champions Diamond Harbour FC 3-0 at the Kalyani Stadium in Kalyani on Saturday, 23 May to finish second in the final standings. The Red Dragons ended the season on 28 points, just one behind Diamond Harbour's title-winning tally of 29.

First Half Dominance

The match opened at a brisk tempo, with both sides committing to attack from the first whistle. Diamond Harbour's Luka Majcen had the ball in the net as early as the second minute, but the effort was ruled out for offside. Left back Lalremruata then struck the post with a thunderous long-range left-footer before the 25th minute, signalling the hosts' early intent.

Shillong Lajong gradually asserted their authority. A short corner routine released Damaitphang Lyngdoh, whose looping cross to the far post caused chaos in the Diamond Harbour box. Goalkeeper Susnata Malik failed to gather cleanly, Rudra Ved headed the ball back into danger, and Everbrightson Sana reacted quickest to nod home from four yards in the 30th minute.

The visitors doubled their lead deep in first-half stoppage time. Ephraim Lalremtluanga played a through ball into space for Phrangki Buam, who rolled it into the path of Gladdy Nelcen Kharbuli. The midfielder produced a curling effort from the edge of the box that flew into the top corner, leaving Malik with no chance.

Shillong Lajong Put the Game to Bed

Diamond Harbour started the second half with purpose, but Bryce Miranda's inviting cross found Majcen in a promising position — only for the Slovenian to scuff his effort wide. The home side compounded their woes by repeatedly giving the ball away in their own half.

On the fourth such mistake, Shillong Lajong struck decisively. Phrangki Buam finished coolly after a lay-off from Kharbuli to score his eighth goal of the season in the 54th minute, sealing the contest. Buam was later named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

Champions Rotate, Red Dragons Shine

With the title already clinched, Diamond Harbour coach Kibu Vicuña fielded a heavily rotated squad for the final fixture. That context did not diminish Shillong Lajong's performance — the Red Dragons were relentless in transition, repeatedly splitting the defence with quick combinations through the centre and down the flanks.

Substitute Jakob Vanlalhimpuia came within a whisker of a fourth, his left-footed strike in stoppage time crashing off the crossbar and back into play. At the other end, Hugo Díaz and substitute Sahil Harijan both went close for Diamond Harbour without troubling the scoreboard.

Season Awards

The individual honours for the IFL 2025-26 season were distributed as follows: Best Goalkeeper went to Ashish Sibi of Dempo SC; the Golden Boot was claimed by Marcus Joseph, also of Dempo SC; and Phrangki Buam of Shillong Lajong took home the Most Valuable Player award. With this result, the IFL 2025-26 season draws to a close — and Shillong Lajong will look to bridge that final one-point gap when the next campaign begins.