Indian Football wrap, March 24: Inter Kashi leading Shillong Lajong; Dempo eases past Aizawl FC

Indian Football wrap, March 24: Inter Kashi leading Shillong Lajong; Dempo eases past Aizawl FC

With the 2024–25 I-League title race teetering on a knife’s edge, Inter Kashi issued a bold statement of intent, defeating Shillong Lajong FC 2-1 at the Kalyani Stadium on Monday.

The win came just a day after league leader Churchill Brothers was held to a frustrating 1–1 draw by Sreenidi Deccan, and it now sets the stage for a potential title decider between the two sides in Churchill’s own backyard next Sunday.

Goals from Nikola Stojanovic and Mario Barco in the first half proved enough for Antonio Lopez Habas’ side to seal three crucial points, keeping its championship hopes alive. With the win, Inter Kashi moved level on points with Churchill Brothers — both sitting on 38 points from 20 matches — but remain second due to an inferior head-to-head record.

That sits perfectly ahead of the highly anticipated clash between Inter Kashi and Churchill Brothers in what could well be the title showdown.

Dempo Sports Club pushed Aizawl FC further into an arduous situation in the I-League 2024-25 relegation struggle with a resounding 5-2 victory at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Monday.

Trinidad and Tobago striker Marcus Joseph was the hero of Dempo win with a hat-trick (26’, 75’, 90+6’) under his belt. Pruthvesh Pednekar (5’) and Vinay Vijay Harji (78’) were the other scorers. For Aizawl FC, Zothanpuia (34’) and Lalbiakdika (90+1) found the target.

While Dempo now can consider itself placed in a much safer position with 25 points from 20 matches, former champion Aizawl FC faces the threat of finding itself relegated unless some dramatic changes happen in the last two rounds of the league.

Aizawl FC now has 19 points from 20 matches and is placed 11th in the points table ahead of already relegated Delhi FC. Since two teams will be relegated, it is expected to be a last-minute scramble between Aizawl FC and Sporting Club Bengaluru, which too is precariously placed in the 10 position, with 20 points from as many matches.

Published on Mar 24, 2025