Kalyani, March 8 (IANS) Diamond Harbour FC secured their first-ever Indian Football League (IFL) 2025-26 victory after edging past Dempo SC 2-1 at the Kalyani Stadium on Sunday. Antonio Moyano gave the home side the lead in added time of the first half. A second-half strike by Marcus Joseph equalised the score, and Hugo Díaz’s strike in the 70th minute gave

Antonio Moyano gave the home side the lead in added time of the first half. A second-half strike by Marcus Joseph equalised the score, and Hugo Díaz’s strike in the 70th minute gave Diamond Harbour their first win.

Diamond Harbour head coach Kibu Vicuña made two alterations to his starting line-up from their previous outing, bringing in Hugo Díaz and Halicharan Narzary for Bryce Brian Miranda and Pintu Mahata.

Dempo SC manager Samir Subash Naik made three changes to his side, handing starts to 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 finding the back of the net.

The breakthrough finally arrived deep into first-half stoppage time (45+4′) against the run of play. Catching Dempo off guard on a rapid counter-attack, Spanish midfielder Antonio Moyano produced a brilliant finish, executing a fantastic scoop over the goalkeeper to give Diamond Harbour a well-deserved 1-0 lead going into the break.

The second half proved to be a topsy-turvy affair as both teams hunted for goals. Dempo responded strongly and found their equaliser in the 55th minute. Trinidadian forward Marcus Leric Jr Joseph showcased his individual brilliance, expertly going 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 dividends 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 equaliser in the 76th minute, but the crossbar came to Diamond Harbour’s rescue to agonisingly 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.

–IANS

bsk/