Marcus Joesph scores in their 1-1 stalemate against Sreenidi Deccan
Fatorda: Dempo SC signed off their Indian Football League 2025-26 campaign with a 1-1 draw against Sreenidi Deccan FC at the PJN Stadium, Fatorda, on Thursday.
Marcus Joseph handed Dempo an early lead before Habib Idrissou equalised in the second half as the hosts capped off their campaign with another determined display.
Coach Samir Naik retained the same starting XI for the final fixture and Dempo responded quickly. Arnold Oliveira delivered a teasing ball into the box and Marcus Joseph finished calmly in the fifth minute to register his ninth goal of the season.
Sreenidi gradually pushed forward in search of a response, but Ashish Sibi stood firm in goal for Dempo. The goalkeeper produced an outstanding save to deny David Castañeda from a tight angle before confidently dealing with dangerous deliveries into the area.
The visitors continued to apply pressure after the break and Sibi was again called into action, reacting sharply to keep out Mohammed Aqib from close range. Sreenidi eventually found the equaliser in the 71st minute when Habib Idrissou connected with a cross inside the box to make it 1-1.
Dempo nearly restored their advantage through Vinay Harji, whose effort was brilliantly saved by Kamaljit Singh. At the other end, Sibi delivered two more crucial interventions late in the game, including a fingertip save to push away Pape Gassama’s stoppage-time free-kick.
Reflecting on the campaign, Naik said delayed arrivals of foreign players disrupted Dempo’s pre-season preparations.
“If the foreign players had come early, maybe we would have been challenging for the title,” said Naik. “There is a lot of potential in this squad.”
Dempo lost only one of their five Championship Round matches after recovering from a difficult start to the season.
“The boys stuck together and showed what they are made of, from the coaching staff to every player on the pitch. They proved they are hard to beat,” he added.
Sibi finished the campaign with the Golden Glove award, while Marcus Joseph remains in contention for the Golden Boot with nine goals.
