IFL 2026-27: Shillong Lajong and Chanmari share spoils in 1-1 draw at SSA Stadium
Shillong Lajong FC came from behind to draw 1-1 with Chanmari FC at the SSA Stadium in Shillong on Friday, November 6, in their IFL 2026–27 home fixture; Abelson Jachi scored the equaliser in the 78th minute after a Joedson dos Santos own goal in the 24th minute put Chanmari ahead.
The match was Shillong Lajong’s first home game of the season and Chanmari’s opening fixture of the campaign; Shillong entered the contest on the back of a victory in their season opener while Chanmari made a positive start and appeared organised in their approach. The game served as an early Northeast derby meeting between the sides and produced a competitive contest in front of the home crowd.
Shillong started on the front foot with Ephraim HC and Figo Syndai linking on the left to win a corner in the fourth minute, and captain Kenstar Kharshong’s seventh-minute free-kick was punched clear by Chanmari goalkeeper and captain Zothanmawia. Chanmari defender F C Lalhmunmawia produced a strong clearance in the ninth minute to halt an attack, and Everbrightson Sana’s persistence was met by HK Lalhruaitluanga’s defensive intervention three minutes later. Zothanmawia again punched away a threatening delivery in the 15th minute, while Chanmari midfielder Denilson Rodrigues Roldao showed promising footwork in the final third a minute later before his pass was intercepted by the Shillong defence.
Chanmari threatened in the 21st minute when Lalthanzuala’s run down the right ended with a shot that struck the woodwork, and the visitors took the lead in the 24th minute via an own goal. R Ramdinthara floated a ball toward Gabriel Ferriera Paz, who attacked the delivery, and Shillong defender Joedson dos Santos inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net to make it 1-0 to Chanmari.
Shillong increased the intensity after going behind: Damaitphang Lyngdoh combined with Jota in the 31st minute and forced a save from Zothanmawia, while Lamlallian’s midfield delivery two minutes later set up Sana, whose effort missed the target. The first half opened up with both teams probing for openings, and Jota went close in stoppage time when Seila Toure produced an intervention that nearly cleared a goal-bound attempt off the line as Chanmari held a 1-0 lead at half-time.
The second half began with Shillong pressing for an equaliser and Everbrightson Sana and Jota probing the Chanmari backline, which remained organised under the influence of centre-back Seila Toure. Substitute Abelson Jachi added a new attacking option down the right, and Chanmari introduced Aron Vanlalrinchhana and Guite Vanlalpeka in the 63rd minute; the latter’s shot from that combination went wide. Jachi delivered a lofted ball into the area in the 65th minute that Sana met with a header which also missed the target.
Shillong came agonisingly close in the 72nd minute when Joedson dos Santos carried the attack and his shot struck the near post. The pressure culminated in the 78th minute: Kenstar Kharshong’s cross from the left was partially cleared by Seila Toure but fell to substitute Abelson Jachi, who controlled himself and finished into the net to level the score at 1-1. Both sides pushed for a winner in the closing stages but neither could find a decisive goal, and the match finished level.
Abelson Jachi’s late strike ensured Shillong Lajong avoided defeat in their first home fixture of the IFL 2026–27 season, while Chanmari FC collected a point in their debut league match; the two sides shared the points after the 1-1 draw.