For Diamond Harbour FC, this will come a welcome result. The team secured their first win in Indian Football League (IFL) on Sunday. They beat Dempo SC 2-1 at the Kalyani Stadium and had the moment to cherish.
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 gaffer 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.
With some 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.
Diamond Harbour FC 2 (Antonio Moyano 45+4’, Hugo Díaz 70’) Dempo SC 1 (Marcus Joseph 55’)
Shillong beat Kashmir
Shillong Lajong FC came from a goal behind to secure three points against Real Kashmir FC for their first win in Indian Football League 2025-26 at the SSA Stadium in Shillong on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
Seijoseph Haokip gave the lead for the Snow Leopards while strikes from Phrangki Buam and Kenstar Kharshong gave Shillong Lajong their first win of the season.
Shillong Lajong head coach Birendra Thapa made one change to his starting XI, bringing in Abhay Gurung in place of Figo Syndai. Meanwhile, Ishfaq Ahmed made a single alteration to his lineup, with defender Basid Ahmed Bhat replacing Hyder Yousuf.
Both sides were evenly matched in the opening 20 minutes, cancelling each other out in midfield. The home side stuck to their trademark short-passing style and occasionally managed to find Everbrightson Sana in good pockets of space through longer passes.
SOURCE: IFL