Published: March 7, 2026 at 9:42 pm
Sreenidi Deccan FC suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat away to Chanmari FC in their second game of the Indian Football League 2025–26 season at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Aizawl on Saturday.
Head coach Carlos Vaz Pinto made one change to his starting line-up as Aryan Lamba was brought in to guard the goal, replacing Bhaskar Roy. The motivated Deccan Warriors started the half on a positive note and were able to curl in a few crosses from both wings but could not trouble the opposition keeper. Meanwhile, the hosts too tried their luck from a few set-pieces but couldn’t trouble Aryan in goal.
Sreenidi Deccan FC had their first clear chance of the game later in the half when Kah found himself one-on-one with the opposition keeper, but his effort was saved and the half ended goalless.
Sreenidi Deccan defender Muhammad Hammad in action against Chamari FC at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Aizawl on Saturday
The hosts started the second half on a positive note, as the Deccan Warriors were forced to make two early changes with Abhijith and Jagdeep being replaced by Brandon and Aqib respectively. It was in the 59th minute that the deadlock was broken, as Chanmari’s Jota found the back of the net, beating Aryan in goal.
In an attempt to build more pressure on the hosts, coach Vaz Pinto brought on Paulo Cezar in place of Fabrice Kah and Lalbiakliana in place of Lalromawia. The Brazilian made an instant impact as he scored in the 79th minute off a cross from Hardik Bhatt.
However, as the visitors pressed for the winner, it was Lalruatsanga of the hosts who found the decisive goal in the 91st minute, handing Sreenidi Deccan FC their first defeat of the season.
Sreenidi Deccan FC will now play Gokulam Kerala FC on March 14 at the Payyanad Stadium in Manjeri.
