Sreenidi Deccan suffer first defeat of IFL 2026-27 season

Sreenidi Deccan FC suffered their first 2026-27 Indian Football League defeat of the season, losing 1-2 to Shillong Lajong FC. Nicolas Morinigo equalised in the 72nd minute, but Tremiki Laumrong struck late to secure victory for the hosts on Friday

Hyderabad: Sreenidi Deccan FC suffered their first defeat of the Indian Football League (IFL) 2026-27 season, going down 1-2 to Shillong Lajong FC in Shillong on Friday.

Joedson opened the scoring for the hosts in the 51st minute before Nicolas Morinigo restored parity for the Deccan Warriors in the 72nd minute. However, Tremiki scored the decisive goal in the 84th minute to hand Shillong Lajong FC a 2-1 victory.

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Head coach Antonio Rueda made three changes to his starting XI, with Lalthankhuma, Pape Gassama and Jerry Mawia coming in for Abhijith K, Victor Teister and Pronay Halder.

The Deccan Warriors created their first significant opportunity in the 17th minute when David Castaneda found himself one-on-one with the opposition goalkeeper. His effort took a deflection and struck both posts before being safely gathered by the Shillong custodian. The hosts continued to mount attacks, but a resilient defensive display, marshalled by Kamaljit Singh, ensured that the teams went into the break level at 0-0.

Shillong Lajong FC continued their attacking approach after the restart and were rewarded in the 51st minute. Defender Joedson found the back of the net at the far post, connecting with a delivery from a set-piece on the right flank.

With his side trailing, head coach Antonio Rueda made a triple substitution in the 68th minute, bringing on Brandon, Abhijith K and Nicolas Morinigo in place of Romawia, Jerry Mawia and Pape Gassama.

The changes soon paid dividends as the Deccan Warriors found their equaliser in the 72nd minute. Nicolas Morinigo rose to meet a cross from Jagdeep Singh and headed the ball into the net to register his first goal of the season.

However, Shillong Lajong FC had the final say as Tremiki Laumrong struck from outside the box in the 84th minute to restore the hosts’ lead and secure the victory.

The Deccan Warriors will next travel to Bengaluru to face debutants FC Bengaluru United on November 18.