Shillong Lajong Target Home Comfort Against Chanmari FC in Northeast Derby

After opening their IFL campaign with a victory in Kolkata, the runners-up welcome Chanmari FC to Shillong as the Mizoram side prepares for its season debut under new head coach Steven Dias.

Shillong Lajong FC will look to carry their winning momentum into their first home fixture of the 2026-27 Indian Football League (IFL) season when they welcome Chanmari FC to the SSA Stadium in Shillong on Friday, November 6.

The Matchweek 2 encounter brings together two teams with strong ambitions and a growing rivalry in the Northeast. Shillong Lajong began their campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Mohammedan Sporting Club in Kolkata, while Chanmari FC are preparing to play their first match of the new season after receiving a bye during the opening weekend.

For Lajong, the objective is to build on last season's runners-up finish and establish their home ground as a source of early-season momentum. Chanmari, meanwhile, will be keen to make an immediate statement under new head coach Steven Dias.

Shillong Lajong finished runners-up in the 2025-26 IFL Championship Round with 28 points from 14 matches, just one point behind champions Diamond Harbour FC. Their performance in the opening fixture suggested they remain capable of challenging near the top of the competition.

Against Mohammedan SC, Lajong controlled possession and created repeated opportunities but had to wait until the closing stages to secure the victory. Substitute Nelson Rymbai scored the decisive goal in the 90th minute, giving the visitors all three points.

Rymbai made an immediate impact after coming off the bench, while Treimiki Lamurong and Abelson Jachi also contributed to the attacking effort. Jota and Damaitphang Lyngdoh were influential in orchestrating the forward movement that kept Mohammedan under pressure.

Lajong's attacking dominance was reflected in their Matchweek 1 statistics. They recorded 66 per cent possession, attempted 32 shots, nine of which were on target, and won 14 corners in the 1-0 victory. Head coach Birendra Thapa will want his side to translate that attacking control into greater efficiency in front of goal, particularly when playing at home.

“It is very important that we carry the momentum from our away win in Kolkata into our first home match tomorrow, as winning at home will give the boys a great boost for the matches ahead,” Thapa said. The coach also highlighted the importance of the Shillong supporters, describing their presence as a major source of motivation for the players.

With foreign additions Jota, Joedson and Arthur strengthening the squad, Thapa believes supporters can expect an entertaining brand of football this season.

Chanmari FC begin their campaign

Chanmari FC enter the contest with the advantage of having had additional preparation time, but Friday's fixture will be their first competitive outing of the 2026-27 campaign.

The Mizoram club made a strong impression in its debut IFL season last year, qualifying for the Championship Round and finishing fifth overall with 15 points from 14 matches. They also captured the 2025-26 Mizoram Premier League title, adding to the confidence surrounding the club.

Ahead of the new campaign, Chanmari appointed former India international winger Steven Dias as head coach in September 2026. The appointment brings international playing experience to the coaching setup as the club looks to build on its progress.

The Aizawl-based outfit will be captained by experienced goalkeeper Zothanmawia and have strengthened their squad with foreign signings Denilson, Gabriel Paz and Seila Toure. The trio will complement a domestic core that helped the club establish itself in the Championship Round last season.

Chanmari's challenge will be to quickly find competitive rhythm against a Lajong side that has already played and won its opening fixture. Their ability to deal with the hosts' pressing, possession and attacking movement will be particularly important.

One of the interesting subplots of the fixture will be the return of Brazilian playmaker João Vitor De Paula Morais, popularly known as Jota, against his former club. Jota represented Chanmari FC last season but now lines up for Shillong Lajong. His familiarity with the visitors could add an extra dimension to the contest, particularly in the attacking areas.

However, the Brazilian insists his focus remains firmly on helping his current side secure three points. “While I am playing against my former club, for me it is another professional game, and my full focus is on giving everything to help Shillong Lajong,” Jota said.

He added that his target was to contribute through goals and assists and help Lajong make a successful start to their home campaign.

Lajong hold recent head-to-head advantage

The two teams met twice during the 2025-26 IFL season, with Shillong Lajong winning both encounters. Their first meeting at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Aizawl on March 19, 2026, saw Lajong recover from a goal down to secure a 2-1 victory with a late injury-time winner.

The return fixture at the SSA Stadium on May 2 proved more comfortable for the Shillong side, who registered a comprehensive 4-0 win. Treimiki Lamurong opened the scoring in first-half stoppage time before Lajong completed the dominant performance.

Those results give the hosts a psychological advantage, but Chanmari will be eager to begin the new campaign by changing that recent record. With Lajong looking to make home advantage count and Chanmari seeking a winning start, the Northeast derby promises an engaging contest under the floodlights in Shillong.

Match Details

• Fixture: Shillong Lajong FC vs Chanmari FC

• Competition: Indian Football League 2026-27, Matchweek 2

• Date: Friday, November 6, 2026

• Kick-off: 6:30 PM IST

• Venue: SSA Stadium, Shillong

• Live Broadcast: DD Sports

• Live Streaming: Unite8 YouTube Channel, Z5 and WAVES App