Sreenidi Deccan FC defeated Dempo SC 3-1 in IFL 2025-26, climbing to the top of the table with a dominant performance. Goals from Lalbiakliana, Idrissou, and Nkwoh sealed victory in Hyderabad despite a second-half red card.
Sreenidi Deccan FC delivered a commanding performance to defeat Dempo SC 3-1 in the Indian Football League (IFL) 2025-26 at the Deccan Arena in Hyderabad on Wednesday. The victory propelled Sreenidi to the top of the standings with 10 points from five matches, while Dempo remained rooted at the bottom with just two points.
From the outset, Sreenidi Deccan asserted their dominance, controlling possession and dictating the tempo of the game. Under the guidance of head coach Carlos Vaz Pinto, the home side showed tactical discipline and attacking precision.
The breakthrough came early when a long throw-in from Jagdeep Singh created confusion inside the Dempo penalty area. The ball took a deflection before falling kindly to R Lalbiakliana, who reacted sharply to fire a left-footed shot from a tight angle into the net, giving Sreenidi a deserved lead.
Sreenidi continued to pile pressure on the visitors, creating multiple scoring opportunities. Dempo goalkeeper Ashish Sibi was kept busy, producing a series of impressive saves to deny forward David Castañeda. The keeper made a crucial close-range stop in the 20th minute and followed it up with a diving save to keep out a powerful header moments later. However, the relentless pressure eventually paid off.
In the 29th minute, Sreenidi doubled their advantage. A well-delivered cross from Lalromawia found centre-back Hadi Idrissou, who rose above the defence to head the ball home, making it 2-0. The goal highlighted Sreenidi’s efficiency in set-piece situations and their ability to capitalize on aerial duels.
Dempo head coach Samir Naik attempted to shift momentum by introducing Marcus Joseph midway through the first half. The forward injected urgency into Dempo’s attack and managed to test goalkeeper Kamaljit Singh with a curling effort in the 42nd minute, but the Sreenidi custodian remained composed.
After the restart, Dempo showed greater intent and managed to pull one back in the 60th minute. Midfielder Knerkitalang Buam delivered a delicate cross towards the far post, where Richmond Kwasi Owusu rose to head home, reducing the deficit to 2-1 and briefly reigniting the contest.
The match took a dramatic turn in the 68th minute when Sreenidi’s Lalromawia received a red card for violent conduct, leaving the hosts with ten men. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Sreenidi displayed remarkable resilience and tactical awareness.
Just minutes after the dismissal, Sreenidi struck again on a swift counter-attack. Midfielder Ajay Chhetri won possession in the middle of the park and quickly released Fabrice Kah Nkwoh, who calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper to restore the two-goal cushion at 3-1.
Dempo pushed forward in search of a comeback, enjoying more possession against the ten-man Sreenidi side. Amay Morajkar came close with a long-range effort in the 81st minute, but Kamaljit Singh produced a fine save to tip the ball over the crossbar.
Despite their late efforts, Dempo were unable to break through Sreenidi’s well-organized defence. The hosts maintained composure in the closing stages to secure a convincing victory.
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The result underlines Sreenidi Deccan’s strong start to the IFL 2025-26 campaign, showcasing their attacking prowess and defensive solidity. For Dempo SC, the defeat highlights ongoing struggles as they search for their first win of the season.
