Sreenidi Deccan FC began their Indian Football League (IFL) 2025–26 campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over debutants Diamond Harbour FC at the Kalyani Stadium on Saturday evening. In a tightly contested early-season fixture, a second-half strike from Cameroonian midfielder Fabrice Kah proved decisive as the Hyderabad-based outfit secured all three points on the road.
For Diamond Harbour, making their IFL debut after earning promotion, the night offered both encouragement and heartbreak particularly after a missed penalty denied them a chance to salvage a point.
Cagey Opening Exchanges
The contest began with the hosts asserting territorial control. Diamond Harbour enjoyed the majority of possession in the opening half-hour, circulating the ball confidently and probing for openings. However, Sreenidi Deccan’s defensive organisation ensured that possession rarely translated into clear-cut chances.
Compact between the lines and disciplined in transition, Sreenidi absorbed pressure effectively while waiting for moments to counter. The visitors posed intermittent threats from set-pieces and quick forward breaks, registering three shots on target and earning three corners before halftime.
Despite the tempo, genuine scoring opportunities were limited. Both sides appeared wary of conceding first in what was only the third match of the new IFL season.
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Midway through the first half, Sreenidi Deccan were dealt an early setback when first-choice goalkeeper Bhaskar Roy suffered a non-contact muscle injury. Forced off the field, Roy was replaced by Aryan Niraj Lamba. The change could have unsettled the visitors, but Lamba settled quickly, maintaining composure behind a well-structured backline. The first half concluded goalless, with neither side managing to break the deadlock.
The breakthrough arrived shortly after the hour mark. Lalromawia delivered a precisely flighted corner into the penalty area, finding David Castañeda unmarked. The Colombian forward directed a powerful header goalward, but Diamond Harbour goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh produced a sharp save to deny him.
The rebound, however, fell kindly to Fabrice Kah. Reacting quickest inside the six-yard box, the midfielder steered the ball into the net to give Sreenidi Deccan a 1-0 advantage in the 60th minute. The goal shifted the dynamic of the match. Diamond Harbour were forced to increase urgency, while Sreenidi looked to manage the tempo and protect their slender lead.
Penalty Drama
Diamond Harbour head coach Kibu Vicuña responded with attacking changes, introducing Hugo Diaz Rodriguez and Halicharan Narzary in search of an equaliser. The tactical switch nearly paid immediate dividends.
In the 72nd minute, the hosts were awarded a penalty after Jobby Justin was brought down in the box following an overzealous challenge from Sreenidi defender Jagdeep Singh. The decision handed Diamond Harbour a golden opportunity to restore parity.
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Mikel Kortazar stepped up to take the spot-kick, but substitute goalkeeper Aryan Niraj Lamba rose to the occasion. Reading the effort accurately, Lamba dived the right way to produce a superb save, preserving Sreenidi’s advantage and shifting momentum back in favour of the visitors.
The penalty miss proved a turning point, galvanising Sreenidi’s defensive resolve.
Tactical Reinforcement and Late Pressure
Recognising the increasing pressure, Sreenidi head coach Carlos Manuel Vaz Pinto moved to reinforce his defensive structure in the 78th minute. Deepak DP and Brandon Vanlalremdika were introduced in place of Lalromawia and Hadi Idrissou to add stability and control.
As the match entered its closing stages, Diamond Harbour committed more bodies forward. With ten minutes of added time signalled after regulation 90 minutes, the hosts launched sustained attacks into the Sreenidi penalty area.
Crosses were delivered from both flanks, long balls were aimed into crowded areas, and second balls were contested fiercely. Yet Sreenidi’s defensive line remained organised, clearing danger methodically and limiting clean shooting opportunities. The visitors managed the late onslaught with composure, maintaining shape and avoiding unnecessary fouls in dangerous positions.
Statement Away Victory
When the final whistle sounded, Sreenidi Deccan had secured a crucial away win to begin their campaign. The performance highlighted their tactical discipline, defensive structure and ability to capitalise on key moments. For Diamond Harbour, the defeat will sting, particularly given the missed penalty and the control they enjoyed in phases of the game. However, their performance suggested competitive readiness at this level, even if the finishing touch eluded them.
Fabrice Kah’s opportunistic strike and Aryan Niraj Lamba’s penalty heroics ultimately defined the evening. In a season where margins are expected to be tight, Sreenidi Deccan demonstrated the importance of efficiency and resilience qualities that could prove decisive in their push up the IFL standings.
