Dempo SC continued their upward momentum in the Star Cement Indian Football League 2025-26 with a composed 3-0 win over Aizawl FC at the PJN Stadium in Goa on Saturday.
Goals from Marcus Joseph, Jose Luis Moreno, and substitute Sebastián Gutiérrez ensured the home side secured their second consecutive victory, moving into fifth place in the standings with nine points from nine matches.
While the final scoreline suggests a comfortable win, the contest unfolded in phases, with Aizawl FC enjoying the better of the first half before Dempo capitalised on key moments to take control.
Aizawl began the match with greater attacking intent, pressing high and forcing Dempo onto the back foot. Their midfield looked sharper in transitions, and they consistently tested the home side’s defensive structure. Goalkeeper Ashish Siby was called into action early, making multiple interventions to keep the scores level. One of the standout moments came when he denied Laltlanzova with a sharp save from distance, while K. Vanlalhriatzuala also came close but failed to keep his effort on target.
Despite Aizawl’s dominance in possession and territory, they were unable to convert their chances—something that would prove costly. Dempo, on the other hand, adopted a more patient approach, attempting to build from the back but struggling to create clear openings in the final third. Marcus Joseph and Richmond Owusu found themselves isolated for long spells, with only a long-range effort from Saiesh Bagkar testing the Aizawl goalkeeper.
The breakthrough came just before halftime, and it arrived against the run of play. A defensive lapse from H. Lalrempuia allowed Kapil Hoble to seize possession and deliver a dangerous ball into the box. Saiesh Bagkar controlled well and fired a shot toward goal, which took a deflection off Marcus Joseph. The deflection wrong-footed the goalkeeper and found the net, handing Dempo a 1-0 lead heading into the break.
That goal shifted the momentum of the contest. Dempo emerged from halftime with greater urgency and began to impose themselves more effectively. Within the opening minutes of the second half, they created two clear opportunities—Aubin Kouakou missed a header from a corner, while Marcus Joseph failed to convert from a promising position inside the box.
The second goal arrived in the 53rd minute, again from a set-piece situation. Kapil Hoble’s delivery caused problems in the Aizawl defence, and Saiesh Bagkar’s header forced an acrobatic save from Lalhruaitluanga. However, the rebound fell perfectly for Jose Luis Moreno, who reacted quickly to slot the ball into the net and double Dempo’s advantage.
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At 2-0, the game began to tilt decisively in Dempo’s favour, but Aizawl were handed a lifeline just after the hour mark when they were awarded a penalty. It was a critical moment in the match, offering them a chance to reduce the deficit and shift the momentum back in their favour. However, Ashish Siby produced one of the defining moments of the game, diving to his right to deny Zomuansanga’s spot-kick and preserve Dempo’s two-goal cushion.
That save effectively ended Aizawl’s hopes of a comeback. While they continued to push forward and commit numbers in attack, they struggled to break through a well-organised Dempo defensive unit that was content to sit deep and protect their lead.
As the game entered its final stages, spaces began to open up, and Dempo looked increasingly dangerous on the counter. Their third goal came in stoppage time, capping off a disciplined performance. Substitute Sebastián Gutiérrez finished off a swift counter-attacking move, adding gloss to the scoreline and sealing the result at 3-0.
From a tactical perspective, Dempo’s ability to absorb pressure in the first half and capitalise on key moments in the second half proved decisive. Their efficiency in front of goal contrasted sharply with Aizawl’s inability to convert early chances.
For Aizawl FC, the result will be frustrating given their strong start. They created enough opportunities in the first half to take control of the match but were undone by lapses in concentration and missed chances. The missed penalty further compounded their difficulties, denying them a route back into the contest.
The victory sees Dempo climb into the top half of the table, reflecting a growing sense of stability and confidence within the squad. Back-to-back wins at this stage of the season could prove crucial as they look to build momentum in the coming fixtures.
For Aizawl, the focus will shift to regrouping and addressing inconsistencies, particularly in finishing and defensive organisation. Despite the defeat, there were positive signs in their attacking play, but converting those phases into tangible outcomes remains the key challenge.
As the league progresses, performances like this underline the importance of efficiency and game management areas where Dempo excelled on the night.
