Chanmari DC and Dempo SC shared the spoils in an entertaining 2-2 draw in the opening match of Gameweek 3 of the Indian Football League (IFL) 2025-26 Stage 1 at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Aizawl on Thursday.
The host looked set for victory after building a two-goal lead in the first half, but a red card in the second period shifted the momentum and allowed Dempo to fight back and salvage a point.
Chanmari started brightly and survived an early scare when Dempo threatened inside the opening minutes. Captain and goalkeeper Zothanmawia produced a crucial save to keep the scores level and calm the home side.
After weathering that pressure, Chanmari gradually began to dominate the contest. Brazilian winger Joao Vitor de Paula Morais, popularly known as Jota, was particularly influential on the left flank, repeatedly troubling the Dempo defence with his pace and movement.
The breakthrough came in the 15th minute. Midfielder Christopher Kamei curled a superb free-kick that struck the post and bounced back into play. Striker Suangaihmuna reacted quickest, rising to head the rebound into the net and give the home side an early lead.
Chanmari continued to push forward and nearly doubled the advantage in the 38th minute when Suangaihmuna slipped a clever through pass into the penalty area for Malsawmsanga KC. However, his attempt toward an open net was blocked by a determined Dempo defence.
The home side eventually found their second goal in the 43rd minute through a well-constructed team move. Suangaihmuna released Kamei down the left wing, and the midfielder delivered a low cross into the centre where Malsawmsanga arrived to finish from close range and make it 2-0.
Dempo responded just before the break. In the final minute of the first half, Chanmari failed to clear a dangerous delivery, allowing Sebastián Gutiérrez to combine with Marcus Leric Jr Joseph. Joseph laid the ball back perfectly for Gutiérrez, who fired his shot into the net to reduce the deficit.
The second half began with Chanmari pushing again for another goal, but Dempo goalkeeper Ashish Sibi produced several important saves, denying both Malsawmsanga and Jota to keep the visitors in the match.
The turning point arrived in the 69th minute when Chanmari’s Malsawmsanga Renthlei was shown a red card for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity, leaving the hosts to play the remaining minutes with ten men.
Dempo took advantage of the extra space and began to apply sustained pressure. Defender Pruthvesh Pednekar nearly equalised shortly after, but his effort drifted just wide of the far post.
The equaliser finally arrived in the 81st minute when Marcus Joseph won the ball high up the pitch and unleashed a powerful strike that beat Zothanmawia at the near post to make it 2-2.
Both teams pushed for a late winner in the closing stages, but Chanmari defended resolutely to secure a point that provisionally moves them to the top of the table with five points, while Dempo climbed to eighth with two points.
