Ariston costa

Marcus Leric Jr Joseph: Shillong Lajong FC were held to a goalless draw by a resolute Dempo SC in their Championship Phase fixture of the Indian Football League (IFL) 2025-26 at the SSA Stadium in Shillong on Sunday. The result keeps Shillong second in the table with 18 points, seven behind leaders Diamond Harbour FC, while Dempo remain sixth with 10 points.

Shillong named an unchanged starting XI from their last match, while Dempo made two changes, with Sebastián Gutiérrez Atehortua and Vieri Colaco replacing Ariston Costa and Richmond Kwasi Owusu.

Shillong imposed themselves from the outset, applying immediate pressure on Dempo straight from kick-off. Inside the opening minute, a long ball into the box created an early opening as Phrangki Buam rose to meet it, but the defence recovered in time to clear.