Diamond Harbour FC secured its 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 Diaz’s effort in the 70th minute handed Diamond Harbour its first win.
Diamond Harbour head coach Kibu Vicuna made two alterations to his starting line-up from the previous outing, bringing in Hugo Diaz and Halicharan Narzary for Bryce Brian Miranda and Pintu Mahata. Dempo SC coach Samir Subash Naik made three changes, handing starts to Jose Luis Moreno Pena, Amay Morajkar and Knerkitalang Buam in place of Vieri Colaco, Richmond Kwasi Owusu and Seigoumang Doungel.
ALSO READ: Lionel Messi scores 899th goal as Inter Miami beats DC United
Dempo created a couple of half-chances in the opening 10 minutes, but Diamond Harbour soon regained control. The host dictated the tempo and dominated possession in the first half but could not find the back of the net.
The breakthrough finally arrived deep into first-half stoppage time (45+4). Catching Dempo off guard on a rapid counterattack, Spanish midfielder Antonio Moyano produced a fine finish, scooping the ball over the goalkeeper to give Diamond Harbour a 1-0 lead going into the break.
The second half proved to be a lively affair as both sides searched for goals. Dempo responded strongly and found the equaliser in the 55th minute. Trinidadian forward Marcus Leric Jr Joseph went past two defenders before slotting home a composed finish to make it 1-1.
Searching for a winner, Vicuna made a substitution that paid off soon after. In the 70th minute, Bryce Brian Miranda delivered a precise cross into the box, and Hugo Diaz Rodriguez was well placed 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 and denied Joseph a brace. With seven minutes of added time, the Goan side piled on the pressure, but the host defended resolutely to seal a 2-1 victory.
Published on Mar 08, 2026
