IFL 2025-26: Rodriguez’s goal helps Diamond Harbor beat Dempo and secure first-ever IFL win

Diamond Harbor FC secured its first-ever win in the 2025-2026 Indian Football League (IFL) after edging past Dempo SC 2-1 at the Kalyani Stadium on Sunday.

Antonio Moyano gave the home team the lead in extra time of the first half. A strike from Marcus Joseph in the second half evened the score, and Hugo Diaz’s effort in the 70th minute gave Diamond Harbor its first win.

Diamond Harbor head coach Kibu Vicuna made two changes to his starting lineup 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.

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Dempo created a few half-chances in the opening ten minutes, but Diamond Harbor quickly regained control. Lihat juga rfv8. The hosts dictated the tempo and dominated possession in the first half but could not find the back of the net.

The breakthrough finally came deep into injury time in the first half (45+4). Spanish midfielder Antonio Moyano caught Dempo off guard after a quick counter-attack and produced a fine finish, slotting the ball over the goalkeeper to give Diamond Harbor a 1-0 lead going into half-time.

The second half proved to be a lively affair with both teams looking for goals. Dempo responded strongly and found the equalizer in the 55th minute. Trinidadian forward Marcus Leric Jr. Joseph passed two defenders before scoring with a composed finish to make it 1-1.

In search of a winner, Vicuna made a change that quickly paid off. In the 70th minute, Bryce Brian Miranda delivered a precise cross into the penalty area, and Hugo Diaz Rodriguez was well placed to restore Diamond Harbor’s lead with a clinical finish.

Dempo almost found a second equalizer in the 76th minute, but the crossbar came to Diamond Harbor’s rescue and denied Joseph a brace. With seven minutes of added time, the Goan side piled on the pressure but the hosts defended resolutely to seal a 2-1 victory.

Published on March 8, 2026