In a thrilling curtain-raiser to the 2025–26 AIFF Super Cup, East Bengal were held to a 2-2 draw by a spirited 10-man Dempo SC side at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim.
What was expected to be a routine outing for one of India’s biggest clubs turned into a test of composure and resilience, as Dempo making their first appearance in a top-tier national competition in almost a decade matched their fancied opponents blow for blow.
The game had everything: defensive lapses, goalkeeping errors, stunning strikes, and a late twist that ensured both sides shared the spoils in the end.
Just two weeks ago, Dempo didn’t even know they’d be part of the Super Cup. The five-time National League champions were called in as replacements following a reshuffle in the qualification process and their players grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
It was the Goan club that drew first blood in the 28th minute, silencing the Bambolim crowd. East Bengal goalkeeper Debjit Majumder, under no real pressure, fumbled a routine cross, and Mohamed Ali pounced on the loose ball to slot it home into an open net. The goal came against the run of play but perfectly reflected Dempo’s efficiency one chance, one finish.
Despite dominating possession, East Bengal struggled to make their control count in the final third. The front trio of Hiroshi Ibusuki, Bipin Singh, and Naorem Mahesh Singh were well shackled by Dempo’s all-Indian backline, with goalkeeper Ashish Sibi pulling off key interventions in the first half.
As the whistle blew for halftime, East Bengal found themselves trailing 0-1 a wake-up call for a side loaded with attacking talent.
Mahesh Sparks the Comeback
If the first half was about Dempo’s defensive organisation, the second was all about East Bengal’s response. Coach Carles Cuadrat made two key changes at the break, bringing on Lalchungnunga and Miguel Figueira, and the impact was immediate.
Within seconds of the restart, Naorem Mahesh Singh levelled the score with a crisp finish after linking up neatly with Ibusuki. The goal reignited East Bengal’s rhythm, and the pressure began to mount on the Goan outfit.
By the 55th minute, East Bengal had taken complete control of the tempo. Mahesh struck the woodwork soon after, and the Kolkata giants seemed destined to take the lead. That moment arrived in the 58th minute when Miguel Figueira produced a piece of magic.
The Brazilian midfielder, stationed on the edge of the box, connected with a looping volley that left Sibi rooted to the spot
an early contender for goal of the tournament. The strike turned the game on its head and appeared to set East Bengal on course for a comfortable finish.
Dempo Down to Ten But Refuse to Fall
However, football has a way of punishing complacency. Just as East Bengal looked set to close out the game, Dempo found a way back.
Their resilience was tested in the 70th minute when Nestor Dias received his second yellow card for a late challenge, reducing the I-League side to ten men. Yet, instead of retreating, Dempo displayed remarkable discipline and heart. Captain Amay Morajkar marshalled the midfield, while defenders Mohamed Ali and Laximanrao Rane continued to clear wave after wave of attacks.
The 80th-minute mark saw East Bengal miss multiple chances to seal the result. Miguel Figueira was denied by a sharp save from Sibi, while Hamid Ahadad and Nandha Kumar both fired wide from promising positions. The Kolkata side were in full control but failed to show the killer instinct required to finish off a resilient opponent.
Then, in the 89th minute, came the moment that defined the match.
Dempo launched a rare counterattack down the right, with Rane collecting the ball near the edge of the area. The winger cut inside with confidence and unleashed a grounded strike that slipped past Debjit Majumder into the bottom corner. The small Goan contingent in the stands erupted their team had equalised against one of Indian football’s heavyweights, and in dramatic fashion.
Despite five minutes of added time and frantic efforts from East Bengal including speculative attempts from Anwar Ali and Nandha Kumar Dempo held firm. When the referee blew the final whistle, their players sank to the turf, exhausted but jubilant. It was a statement result for a club long absent from the national limelight.
For East Bengal, the result will sting. They created the better chances, had more possession, and looked in control for large parts of the match but lapses in concentration and poor finishing cost them dearly.
Defensively, the Kolkata side looked vulnerable on the break, with goalkeeper Debjit’s early mistake setting the tone for an uneven performance. Coach Cuadrat will be particularly concerned about the team’s lack of game management a theme that has haunted East Bengal in past campaigns as well.
Still, there were positives to take away. Mahesh looked lively and sharp, while Miguel’s spectacular goal reminded fans of his technical quality. With tougher group games ahead, East Bengal must find consistency if they are to progress deep into the tournament.
Dempo’s Return to the Spotlight
For Dempo, this was more than just a draw it was a statement of intent. Fielding an all-Indian squad and playing most of the second half with ten men, they matched one of the ISL’s biggest teams with sheer spirit and organisation.
Goalkeeper Sibi was outstanding, Ali led from the back, and Rane’s late equaliser will go down as one of Dempo’s most memorable moments in recent history. For a club returning to the national stage after nearly a decade, this result felt symbolic proof that Goan football still carries its old fighting spirit.
Final Score:
East Bengal 2–2 Dempo SC
Goals: Mohamed Ali (28’) and Laximanrao Rane (89’) for Dempo; Naorem Mahesh Singh (46’) and Miguel Figueira (58’) for East Bengal.
Red Card: Nestor Dias (Dempo, 70’)
The Super Cup opener delivered everything Indian football fans could have asked for goals, drama, and a touch of nostalgia. East Bengal will rue missed chances, but Dempo’s fearless performance ensured that the spotlight belonged to them on the night.
As the tournament continues, both teams have plenty to reflect on East Bengal on regaining composure, and Dempo on building from a result that could define their season.
Full Time: East Bengal 2–2 Dempo SC – a thrilling start to the 2025–26 Super Cup.
