Kalyani, March 8 – Diamond Harbour FC secured their first-ever victory in the Indian Football League (IFL) 2025-26, defeating Dempo SC 2-1 at the Kalyani Stadium on Sunday. Antonio Moyano gave the home team the lead in the added time of the first half. A second-half goal by Marcus Joseph equalized the score, and Hugo Diaz's goal in the 70th minute gave Diamond Harbour their first win.
Diamond Harbour head coach Kibu Vicuña made two changes to his starting lineup from their previous match, bringing in Hugo Diaz and Halicharan Narzary for Bryce Brian Miranda and Pintu Mahata.
Dempo SC manager Samir Subash Naik made three changes to his team, starting Jose Luis Moreno Pena, Amay Morajkar, and Knerkitalang Buam in place of Vieri Colaco, Richmond Kwasi Owusu, and Seigoumang Doungel.
Dempo created a couple of half chances in the opening ten minutes, but Diamond Harbour soon regained control. The hosts dictated the tempo and heavily dominated possession throughout the first half, doing everything right except scoring.
The breakthrough finally arrived deep into the first half stoppage time (45+4'), against the run of play. Catching Dempo off guard with a quick counter-attack, Spanish midfielder Antonio Moyano produced a brilliant finish, executing a fantastic shot over the goalkeeper to give Diamond Harbour a well-deserved 1-0 lead going into the break.
The second half proved to be a tense affair as both teams searched for goals. Dempo responded strongly and equalized in the 55th minute. Trinidadian forward Marcus Leric Jr. Joseph showcased his individual brilliance, expertly passing past two defenders before slotting home a calm finish to make it 1-1.
Searching for a winner, Coach Vicuna made an inspired substitution that paid off just two minutes after the change. In the 70th minute, substitute Bryce Brian Miranda delivered a precise cross into the box, and Hugo Diaz Rodriguez was perfectly positioned to restore Diamond Harbour's lead with a clinical finish.
Dempo almost found a second equalizer in the 76th minute, but the crossbar came to Diamond Harbour's rescue to agonizingly deny Joseph a brace. With a hefty seven minutes of extra time added, the Goan outfit piled on the pressure, but the hosts held their nerve and defended resolutely to seal a historic 2-1 victory.
