Shillong, Nov 13: Shillong Lajong FC produced an impressive performance to secure an entertaining 2-1 victory over Sreenidi Deccan FC in the Indian Football League 2026-27 season at the SSA Stadium today evening.
The home side took the lead in the 51st minute through Joedson dos Santos, who converted a set-piece opportunity. Substitute Nicolas Morinigo equalised for Sreenidi Deccan in the 72nd minute but Shillong Lajong restored their advantage in the 84th through a well-taken goal by substitute Tremiki Lamurong.
The victory took Shillong Lajong temporarily to the top of the table with 7 points from three matches, while Sreenidi Deccan remained fourth with 4 points from three games. Joedson was named Player of the Match.
Lajong dominated possession from the kick-off, with Lamlallian Valphei, Gladdy Kharbuli, Damaitphang Lyngdoh and Abelson Jachi controlling the midfield through some crisp, one-touch passing. The first clear chance came in the 10th minute following one such move, as Everbrightson Mylliempdah unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the box, only for Sreenidi Deccan goalkeeper Kamaljit Singh to produce an excellent fingertip save.
At the other end, Sreenidi’s attacking moves were orchestrated by Adriano Castanheira, who released Jerry Mawihmingthanga through the middle. However, Shillong Lajong goalkeeper Ranit Sarkar timed his charge outside the box to perfection, preventing Jerry from reaching the ball. Moments later, the Portuguese midfielder picked out David Castañeda, whose shot was pushed on to the base of the post by Ranit before striking the opposite post and staying out. It was the visitors’ best chance of the first half. Ranit, however, had to be substituted due to injury later on in the first half, giving Siwel Rymbai a chance to don the gloves for the Reds.
Lajong continued to enjoy the majority of possession, keeping the Sreenidi Deccan defence on its toes, but clear-cut chances remained scarce.
The hosts took a deserved lead five minutes after the restart with a well-worked set-piece routine. Joedson timed his run perfectly to meet an excellent delivery from Ephraim Lalremtluanga, opening up his left foot to guide the ball past Kamaljit and break the deadlock.
Antonio Rueda made three changes after the 65th minute, bringing on Brandon Vanlalremdika, K Abhijith and Nicolas Morinigo in search of an equaliser. The changes paid off just five minutes later as right-back Jagdeep Singh delivered a looping cross from the right into a dangerous area. Substitute Morinigo got the better of his marker Joedson and rose highest to power a header past Siwel to level the scores.
Sreenidi Deccan could have taken the lead seven minutes later but failed to capitalise on an error by the substitute Lajong goalie. The goalkeeper failed to gather a low cross cleanly, allowing the loose ball to fall to Castanheira at the edge of the six-yard box. However, the midfielder failed to keep his composure and blasted his effort over the crossbar.
The miss proved costly as the home side regained the lead six minutes later through a well-taken strike by Tremiki. Receiving the ball on the right at the edge of the box, the forward used quick footwork to evade Brandon before curling a left-footed effort beyond the diving Kamaljit to put his side ahead in the game.
Castañeda thought he had snatched an equaliser for his side in the closing minutes of regulation time, only for his looping header to be cleared off the line by his opposite number, Kenstar Kharshong. The visitors piled on the pressure in the final minutes, but Shillong Lajong’s defence stood firm to preserve their one-goal lead and secure all 3 points.
Lajong will now travel to Goa to face Dempo on November 19.
