Hyderabad, March 25: In a thrilling match of the Indian Football League (IFL) 2025-26, Srinidhi Deccan FC secured a decisive 3-1 victory against Dempo SC on Wednesday. Goals from R. Lalbiakliana, Hadi Idrisou, and Fabrice Kahn Nkwo propelled Srinidhi to the top of the table with 10 points from five matches, while Dempo remains at the bottom with just 2 points.
Coach Carlos Vaz Pinto’s team took control right from the start. A throw-in from Jagdeep Singh on the left flank deflected into the box, allowing right winger R. Lalbiakliana to react quickly and score from a tough angle with his left foot, giving his team an early lead.
Srinidhi continued to press forward, creating several scoring opportunities. Ashish Sibi made remarkable saves to deny David Castaneda, including a close-range stop in the 20th minute and a diving effort shortly after to block a header from Castaneda. A corner kick later saw Castaneda’s header hit the post.
The pressure finally paid off in the 29th minute when Srinidhi’s center-back Hadi Idrisou doubled the lead. Winger Lalromawia delivered an accurate cross from the right, and Idrisou leaped to head the ball into the net, making the score 2-0.
Dempo’s head coach Sameer Naik introduced Marcus Joseph midway through the first half to spark a comeback. The forward intensified the team’s attack, but Srinidhi’s midfield, led by Ajay Chhetri and Pep Gassama, maintained control, limiting Dempo’s scoring chances. Joseph tested goalkeeper Kamaljeet Singh with a curling shot in the 42nd minute, but the keeper easily made the save.
The second half began with the “Golden Eagles” showing more aggression, and they were rewarded in the 60th minute. Midfielder Nerkitalang Buam crossed to forward Richmond Kwasi Owusu, who headed the ball in, narrowing the score to 2-1.
The match took a turn in the 68th minute when Srinidhi’s Lalromawia received a red card for violent conduct, leaving the home team with ten players. However, Srinidhi quickly countered. Ajay Chhetri seized the ball in midfield and passed to forward Fabrice Kahn Nkwo, who calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper to restore the two-goal advantage.
Dempo continued to press forward. In the 81st minute, Amay Morajkar tested Kamaljeet Singh from long range, but the Srinidhi goalkeeper deflected the ball over the bar. Despite having more possession in the closing moments, Dempo could not break through Srinidhi’s strong defense, concluding the match with a 3-1 victory for the home team.
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