Panaji: Dempo SC suffered a 0-2 defeat against Chanmari FC in the Indian Football League championship round clash at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Aizawl on Saturday. Lalruatsanga and Jota scored a goal each for the home side, securing a crucial victory.
The win helped Chanmari move to fifth place in the standings with 14 points from 11 games, leapfrogging Dempo, who remain on 13 points. Dempo coach Samir Naik had been encouraged by his team's first away win in their previous match, a 1-0 victory over Rajasthan FC, and opted to field an unchanged starting lineup against Chanmari.
The opening minutes saw the ball largely confined to midfield. Dempo's Sebastian Gutierrez and Saiesh Bagkar had opportunities from set pieces but lacked precision in their execution. Chanmari broke the deadlock just before halftime as Lalruatsanga's close-range effort slipped through the gloves of goalkeeper Ashish Sibi.
Determined to make amends in the second half, Dempo pushed forward. Gutierrez came close to equalizing but his effort went wide of the target. As the match progressed, Dempo gained a numerical advantage when Chanmari's Aron Vanlalrinchhana received a second yellow card for a late challenge and was sent off.
Despite having an extra man, Dempo struggled to find the equalizer against an organized and resolute Chanmari defense. In stoppage time, Chanmari sealed the victory with a second goal on the counterattack through Jota, who finished from an acute angle.
Dempo will now return to Fatorda to host league leaders Diamond Harbour FC on May 17.
