IFL 2025-26: Match week review of the Indian Football League

Diamond Harbour remains league leaders in IFL 2025-26

The Indian Football League (IFL) has kicked off with a vision to take Indian Football to a very high level. Indian Football League is the newest version of I-League, as the league slowly takes shape in the race to top the table and is also very relevant for the other teams.

Every team is trying their best to put out their possible best results in those crucial matches, as it will be the path to get promoted and secured the place in the next season’s Indian Super League.

This week of the Indian Football League matchday delivered another exciting stretch of matches. That could provide a splash of entertainment for football fans during the Indian Football League 2025-26 season.

From March 17 to March 20, the Indian Football League gave some exciting fixtures to watch out for.

After defeating Aizawl FC at their home on March 20, 2026, Diamond Harbour FC remains the league table leaders with nine points in their hand as Shillong Lajong is currently in second position with seven points as same as Rajasthan United FC and Sreenidi Deccan FC.

Rajasthan United FC beat the Snow Leopards with a scoreline of 1-0, as Soukouna’s strike helped Rajasthan United edge Real Kashmir. On the other hand, Shillong Lajong edged past Chanmari FC on March 19, as this day marked a double header matchday in the Indian Football League. Sreenidi got a 1-1 stalemate against Namdhari FC.

Talking about the two exciting games this week, on March 20, from 16:30 IST, Gokulam Kerala FC locked their horns against Dempo SC at home, where they thrashed Dempo by 2-0. And in the next match, Diamond Harbour got the better of host Aizawl FC with the same scoreline, as Antonio Moyano scored a brace.

Here is a full Match week review of the Indian Football League by Khel Now.

Rajasthan United vs Real Kashmir FC (1-0)

Amadou Soukouna’s first-half strike proved decisive as Rajasthan United FC edged Real Kashmir FC 1-0 to register a hard-fought victory in the Indian Football League (IFL) 2025-26 at the Vidhyadhar Nagar Stadium on Thursday. From the very first minute of the game, Rajasthan United FC lead their chances against the Snow Leopards, but the deadlock remains unsafe.

Ahmad Dar had a sight of goal in the 26th minute but fired over the bar, while Rajasthan came close in the 36th minute when Jonathan Fernandes’ free-kick was parried by Furqan, with Soukouna unable to convert the rebound.

Soukouna continued to threaten and finally broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time. Real Kashmir created many chances but did not deliver the same as Rajasthan United FC. By this win on that day, Rajasthan United FC gone top of the table with seven points.

Shillong Lajong FC vs Chanmari FC (2-1)

Shillong Lajong FC welcomed Chanmari FC to their home on March 19, 2026, to secure the most important three points in the Indian Football League. Chanmari FC lead the race with exciting attacks from the very first minute of the game, as Christopher Kamei scored to break the deadlock at 15 minutes.

Shillong Lajong equalised against the run of play in the first-half injury-time.  Buam scored in the injury times of both halves to win it for the away team. Their efforts bore fruit when, with six minutes added on, yet another substitute, Jakob, made a run on the left flank, before finding Buam with a perfectly-weighted cross.

The latter made no mistake with the finish past Zothanmawia. The clock showed a minute more of added time left, and Shillong had pulled off a heist.

Sreenidi Deccan FC vs Namdhari FC (1-1)

In the next match, Sreenidi Deccan FC face off against Namdhari FC, where they got a hectic draw against each other.  Manvir Singh’s spectacular first-half strike from his own half helped Namdhari SC secure a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Sreenidi Deccan FC in Indian Football League (IFL) 2025-26 at the Deccan Arena.

Namdhari struck against the run of play in the 31st minute through a moment of individual brilliance. Spotting the goalkeeper off his line, Manvir unleashed a stunning effort from well beyond the halfway line, finding the net with a remarkable long-range strike that gave the visitors the lead at the break.

After the first half strike, Namdhari FC got very settled down with their approach, as watch like they were there to rescue just one point.

But, in the second half of the game, Sreenidi Deccan FC continued to press every inch of the game, and after that, Sreenidi Deccan equalised the game as Hadi Idrissou scored for them.

Gokulam Kerala FC vs Dempo SC (2-0)

Gokulam Kerala FC thrashed Dempo SC, recording their first win this season in IFL 2025-26. A first-half strike from Moses Lalrinzuala and a late penalty conversion by Kasimov sealed a comfortable 2-0 victory for Gokulam Kerala FC over Dempo SC, as they secured their first win of the Indian Football League 2025–26 at the Payyanad Stadium in Manjeri.

Gokulam Kerala FC got their attacking intent of the game from the very first, as the southern side were eager to bounce back against Dempo SC at their home to secure the three important points. Moses Lalrinzuala scored the first for Gokulam Kerala. Dempo SC tried hard after they conceded the goal.

The home side was awarded a penalty within 10 minutes of the restart after the goalkeeper brought down Thabiso Brown inside the box, as Mirajol Kasimov scored the penalty and sealed the game for Gokulam Kerala.

Diamond Harbour FC vs Aizawl FC (2-0)

Antonio Moyano’s brilliant brace in the second half proved decisive as Diamond Harbour FC registered a commanding 2-0 victory over Aizawl FC in Indian Football League (IFL) 2025-26 at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Aizawl on Friday, March 20, 2026.

Diamond Harbour climbed to the top of the table after their third straight win of the season, with nine points, while Aizawl FC dropped to seventh with five points. After a dominating first half of the game, the scoreline remains the same with 0-0, but Aizawl FC were on the backfoots cause of the organised gameplay by the Kolkata-based club.

The deadlock broke on the 47th minute as Antonio Moyano scored his first goal that night. However, it was the visitors who doubled their advantage in the 77th minute.

Bryce Miranda ran past two defenders to create an almost perfect chance, setting up Moyano with an empty net. Moyano made no mistake, clinically securing his second goal of the night.

A brief look at the IFL 2025-26 points table

As the points table takes shape as the Indian Football League ( IFL ) 2025-26 season slowly begins to take the actual motive, Diamond Harbour FC are the league leader. They continued their strong run of form with nine points in the four matches. Last victory against Aizawl FC marked their name again at the top.

Behind them, Sreenidi Deccan FC, Shillong Lajong FC and Rajasthan United FC are in the race to overtake the Kolkata-based side as they all have seven points in their hands.

Aizawl FC were the sole unbeaten team in the league, but the record was broken by Diamond Harbour. Chanmari, Gokulam and Namdhari FC all got decent form in the last four games.

At the lower end of the table, Dempo SC and Real Kashmir continued their struggle in the IFL, as both were sitting on just two points in their hands. Both teams are still searching for their first win in the Indian Football League (IFL).

Players with the most goals after matchday 12 of IFL 2025-26

Phrangki Buam (Shillong Lajong FC) – 3 goals

Marcus Leric Jr Joseph (Dempo Sports Club) – 3 goals

Amadou Soukouna (Rajasthan United FC) – 3 goals

Antonio Moyano Carrasquilla (Diamond Harbour FC) – 3 goals

Fabrice Kah Nkwoh (Sreenidi Deccan FC) – 2 goals

What to expect in matchday 13 of IFL 2025-26

Matchday 13 of the Indian Football League (IFL) will promise another round of high stakes encounters as the league slowly begins to take clear shape.

All teams have put their best effort to make it possible, as the best team will get promoted to the Indian Super League in the next season. From March 24 to March 26, there will be some exciting match-ups.

Aizawl FC will face Chanmari FC as both teams will look to bounce back from their current situation. But Gokulam Kerala will host the Shillong Lajong FC at home to secure the valuable points, as the second-positioned club is currently playing some exceptional attacking football. This matchup will be so good.

Matchday 13 promises the most important clash, as Diamond Harbour FC will lock horns against Rajasthan United FC as visitors at their home on March 26. This Matchday could be very important in shaping the title race.

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