Chanmari FC – 2 (Lalruatsanga 45’+1, Jota 90’+7) 
Dempo SC– 0

AIFF Media Desk

Aizawl, Saturday, May 9, 2026: Goals in stoppage time of either half by Lalruatsanga and Jota, respectively, ensured Chanmari FC’s Dempo SC 2-0 in the Star Cement Indian Football League 2025-26 at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Aizawl on Saturday, May 9, 2026.

The result saw Chanmari move into fifth place past Dempo SC with 14 points while the Goan side dropped to sixth with 13 points. The home side were reduced to ten men in the 82nd minute after Aron Vanlalrinchhana was shown his second yellow card. 

Dempo SC looked the livelier side in the opening exchanges, using the width effectively through Seigoumang Doungel and Vieri Colaco, both of whom made repeated surging runs down the flanks in an attempt to supply Marcus Joseph in the box. The visitors also pressed aggressively whenever Chanmari FC had possession, forcing the hosts to move the ball quickly in tight areas.

Despite the energetic start from Dempo, neither side managed to establish clear control in the early stages, though both teams showed attacking intent. Chanmari registered the first attempt on goal in the ninth minute when Lalruatsanga tried his luck from distance, but his effort sailed high and wide.

After a slow start, Chanmari gradually settled into the contest and began to threaten through the wide areas as well. KC Malsawmsanga and Aron Vanlalrinchhana caused problems with their runs into the final third, helping the hosts gain momentum. 

In the 20th minute, Lalruatsanga showed neat footwork in midfield to evade his marker before releasing Malsawmsanga on the right. The winger cut inside the box and aimed for the near post, but narrowly missed the target.

While Dempo continued to rely heavily on the flanks for attacking progression, their lack of penetration through central areas left Marcus Joseph isolated for large parts of the half. In contrast, Sebastián Gutiérrez frequently dropped deeper to link play and initiate attacking moves for the Golden Eagles. 

The hosts increasingly grew into the better side as the half progressed, stitching together promising attacking sequences while maintaining a compact defensive shape whenever Dempo ventured forward.

Chanmari’s pressure eventually paid off in first-half stoppage time. A corner swung into the Dempo box was not dealt with convincingly, allowing Lalthangliana to pounce on the loose ball and fire a low effort. Although the shot was blocked, the rebound fell kindly for Lalruatsanga, who produced an acrobatic finish to give Chanmari a 1-0 lead.

The home side carried their momentum into the second half, dominating possession and keeping the ball inside the Dempo half. The first real chance came for them after Lalruatsanga played a low cross into the box which Pruthvesh Pednekar failed to clear. Malsawmsanga who was behind could not make a solid connection with the ball, eventually scuffing his attempt which could not trouble the goalkeeper. 

On the other end, Gutiérrez had an attempt from long range for the visitors which went slightly wide of the post before Lalmuanpuia had one of his own at the other end for the home side at the end of a well worked move down the right flank. 

The final quarter of the game was largely a physical battle in the midfield with both sides going for the ball in the middle of the pitch. Tackles were flying at both ends of the pitch and in the 82nd minute Chanmari were reduced to 10 men. Aron Vanlalrinchhana received his second yellow card for a rash challenge on Laximanrao Rane, forcing the home side to play the final minutes of the game with a man short.

Both head coaches introduced fresh legs into the game, especially Chanmari who saw three players being taken out of the playing area in stretchers. The Goan side increased the pressure on the home side as seven minutes of stoppage time was provided.

Dempo on the back of a flurry of set pieces saw two attempts by Shubham Rawat and Gutiérrez blocked and deflected out for a corner by the defenders. The home side defended deep inside their own box, but held on to their lead.

With Dempo putting numbers to find the equaliser, Chanmari were lethal in the counter and in the seventh minute of injury time, found the second goal and put the game to bed. Jota dribbled the ball into the box and from the edge of the box hit a low right footed shot that found the back of the net past the goalkeeper.