Shillong, March 29 : The Northeast derby lived up to its billing yet again as Shillong Lajong FC and Aizawl FC played out an eight-goal thriller, settling for a dramatic 4–4 draw in their I-League 2024–25 clash at the SSA Stadium on Saturday, March 29, 2025. The hosts led 2-1 at half-time.
It was a match full of twists and turns. Douglas Tardin’s (30’, 65’) brace, a late goal from Phrangki Buam (90+2’), and an own goal by Luis Rodríguez (42’ og) put the hosts in the lead on four different occasions. But Aizawl, fighting to avoid relegation, refused to give in. Malsawmzuala Tlangte (35’) opened the scoring for the visitors before Samuel Lalmuanpuia (55’) and Lalhriatpuia (78’) added to the tally. Aizawl eventually managed to snatch a point in stoppage time through Lalrinzuala’s (90+4’ p) penalty.
For Aizawl, the draw carries huge implications. Though a win would have provided greater relief, the single point sees them move to 10th in the table with 20 points from 21 matches. SC Bengaluru have the same points but have a game in hand, and are provisionally 11th due to their inferior head-to-head record against Aizawl. The battle to beat the drop now hinges heavily on SC Bengaluru’s remaining matches against Namdhari FC (March 30) and Sreenidi Deccan FC (April 5). Aizawl play their last match of the season against Namdhari FC (April 5).
Lajong, meanwhile, climb to seventh in the table with 27 points from 21 games, ahead of Sreenidi Deccan by dint of a better head-to-head record, though the latter have a game in hand. While Lajong will be frustrated at letting the win slip away in the dying minutes, they contributed to one of the most entertaining matches of the season.
The hosts started brightly, using both flanks effectively and playing with fluidity in the final third. Their dominance paid off in the 30th minute when Buam made a sharp run down the left and delivered a pinpoint cross with the outside of his boot. Tardin timed his run perfectly and finished clinically to bag his 12th goal of the season.
Aizawl responded swiftly, and five minutes later, they levelled the score. Lalbiakdika dribbled past Kenstar Kharshong with quick feet before setting up Malsawmzuala Tlangte, who slotted home from close range.
Lajong regained the lead in the 42nd minute, though in fortunate fashion. A curling free-kick from Sheen Stevenson Sohktung was inadvertently headed into his own net by Aizawl’s Angel while trying to clear.
The half ended with Lajong ahead 2–1, but the second half exploded into further drama.In the 55th minute, Samuel Lalmuanpuia equalised with a stunning free-kick from 23 yards out, giving Lajong goalkeeper Ranit Sarkar no chance. But the home side weren’t to be outdone, and in the 62nd minute, a flowing move down the left saw Sohktung deliver another clever pass into the box for Tardin, who smashed home his 13th goal of the season, becoming the second-highest scorer in the league.
The lead didn’t last long. In the 78th minute, Lalmuanpuia floated in another dangerous free-kick, and Lalhriatpuia rose highest to head Aizawl level yet again.
Just when the game seemed headed for a draw, Buam popped up to restore Lajong’s lead in stoppage time. Sohktung did the hard work, dribbling past defenders to tee up Wadajied Ryngkhlem, who fluffed his shot — but the ball fell kindly to an unmarked Buam, who fired home.
But the drama wasn’t over.In the dying minutes, Lalbiakdika sent in a hopeful cross that goalkeeper Sarkar failed to collect cleanly. As he scrambled, he brought down Lalrinzuala, prompting the referee to point to the spot. Lalrinzuala made no mistake, sending the keeper the wrong way to rescue a vital point for Aizawl in an unforgettable derby.
Lajong will now look forward to their last match of the season at home against Delhi FC on April 5 in SSA Stadium, Polo.
