Shillong Lajong Finish IFL 2025-26 in Style with Dominant Win Over Champions Diamond Harbour FC
Shillong Lajong FC ended their Indian Football League 2025-26 campaign in emphatic fashion, defeating newly crowned champions Diamond Harbour FC 3-0 at the Kalyani Stadium on Saturday to secure second place in the final standings.
While Diamond Harbour had already sealed the league title before the final round, Shillong Lajong arrived with plenty to play for. The Meghalaya-based side needed a strong result to confirm second place, and they delivered one of their most complete performances of the season against the champions. Goals from Everbrightson Sana, Gladdy Kharbuli and league MVP Phrangki Buam capped a superb evening for the Red Dragons, who finished just one point behind Diamond Harbour in the final table.
The result underlined the remarkable consistency Shillong Lajong displayed throughout the campaign and reinforced their reputation as one of the most exciting attacking teams in Indian football this season.
For Diamond Harbour, it was a rare off night in what has otherwise been a historic campaign. Having already secured promotion to the Indian Super League and the IFL title, head coach Kibu Vicuña opted to rotate his squad heavily for the final fixture.
Despite the changes, the champions began brightly.
Luka Majcen thought he had opened the scoring inside the first two minutes, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside. Soon after, Girik Khosla came close with a left-footed attempt, while Lalremruata rattled the post with a stunning long-range strike before the midway stage of the first half. Shillong Lajong, however, gradually settled into their rhythm.
The visitors started controlling possession better and repeatedly threatened through the movement and creativity of Phrangki Buam and Figo Syndai. Their growing confidence eventually produced the breakthrough in the 30th minute. A cleverly worked short corner caused confusion inside the Diamond Harbour penalty area. Goalkeeper Susnata Malik failed to deal cleanly with the delivery, and after Rudra Ved headed the ball back into danger, Everbrightson Sana reacted quickest to nod home from close range.
The goal shifted momentum firmly in Shillong Lajong’s favour.
Diamond Harbour pushed aggressively for an equaliser before halftime, with Sunday Ofolabi firing narrowly wide and Hugo Díaz forcing an excellent save from Ranit Sarkar. But just as the champions seemed ready to regroup, Shillong Lajong struck again in stoppage time.
Phrangki Buam, once again at the centre of the attack, calmly slipped a pass into the path of Gladdy Kharbuli, who produced a brilliant curling finish into the top corner from the edge of the box. It was a goal worthy of ending any contest, and it gave the visitors a commanding 2-0 lead at the break. Diamond Harbour had an opportunity to respond early in the second half when Bryce Miranda delivered a dangerous cross for Luka Majcen, but the Slovenian forward failed to convert from close range.
That miss proved costly.
Shillong Lajong continued to look sharper and more organised, particularly in transition. Their third goal arrived in the 54th minute after another defensive mistake from the home side. Phrangki Buam punished the error with an excellent finish to score his eighth goal of the season. It was a fitting moment for the forward, who was later named the Most Valuable Player of the IFL 2025-26 season.
Throughout the match, Shillong Lajong looked fluid and fearless in attack. Their quick passing combinations and intelligent movement repeatedly exposed Diamond Harbour’s defence. Everbrightson Sana nearly added another goal after being released by Kitboklang Khyriem, but Susnata Malik managed to make an important save.
At the other end, Hugo Díaz and substitute Sahil Harijan both threatened late on, while Shillong substitute Jakob Vanlalhimpuia struck the crossbar in stoppage time as the visitors continued attacking until the final whistle. Although Diamond Harbour still finished the season as deserved champions with 29 points, Shillong Lajong’s final-day victory ensured they ended only one point behind on 28.
The campaign will be remembered fondly in Shillong. Under pressure against the strongest side in the league, the Red Dragons produced a fearless performance full of energy, technical quality and attacking ambition. Their second-place finish, combined with the individual brilliance of players like Phrangki Buam, Gladdy Kharbuli and Everbrightson Sana, signals a bright future for the club.
The IFL season may have ended, but Shillong Lajong’s statement performance against the champions ensured they walked away with momentum, belief and growing recognition as one of the rising forces in Indian football.
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