Dempo Sports Club Claims First IFL Victory with 3-0 Win Over Shillong Lajong
Dempo Sports Club finally broke their winless streak in the Indian Football League (IFL) with a commanding 3-0 victory against Shillong Lajong FC at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Tuesday. This crucial triumph provides the five-time national league champions with much-needed breathing space as they fight to escape the relegation zone.
Clinical Performance Ends Six-Match Winless Run
After failing to secure a victory in their previous six matches, Dempo displayed remarkable efficiency in front of goal. Marcus Joseph opened the scoring in the 6th minute with a brilliant individual effort, turning away from his marker at the edge of the box and finishing past the diving goalkeeper. The home team doubled their advantage in the 24th minute when a cross from Saiesh Bagkar deflected off Lajong defender Saveme Tariang and into the net for an unfortunate own goal.
Richmond Kwasi sealed the comprehensive victory in the 55th minute, calmly converting a penalty after goalkeeper Siwel Rymbai brought down Bagkar inside the area. Bagkar had expertly beaten the offside trap to meet a through ball from Richmond before being fouled.
Defining Moment in the 24th Minute
The match turned decisively in Dempo's favor during a pivotal minute in the first half. Just moments after Lajong nearly equalized through Everbrightson Sana Mylliempdah—whose effort was thwarted by a last-ditch tackle from Aubin Kouakou—Dempo capitalized on the ensuing goal-kick to score their second goal. This rapid shift from potential equalizer to conceding effectively ended the contest as a competitive fixture.
Dempo's Improved Finishing Makes the Difference
Unlike previous matches where missed opportunities proved costly, Dempo converted their chances efficiently. Despite additional attempts from Damian Perez and Sebastian Guiterrez that either were blocked or sailed wide, the three goals proved sufficient for a comfortable victory. The home team dominated the second half, maintaining control and preventing any meaningful comeback from the visitors.
Lajong's Inconsistency Despite Strong Possession
Shillong Lajong FC, fielding an all-Indian squad, displayed impressive passing and movement that often left Dempo's experienced players chasing shadows. However, their lack of maturity in front of goal proved decisive. Despite currently occupying fourth place in the IFL table with 11 points, this performance highlighted their inconsistency, particularly in converting possession into goals.
Relegation Battle Implications
While this victory moves Dempo to ninth position in the standings, they remain in the relegation zone with two matches remaining in the first phase. However, they are now just two points behind sixth-placed Chanmari FC and Gokulam Kerala, significantly improving their survival prospects. The three points provide crucial momentum as they approach their final fixtures of the initial stage.
