Goa Khabar : Dempo Sports Club to host Shillong Lajong FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Tuesday in what is a pivotal Matchweek 7 fixture of the Star Cement Indian Football League 2025-26.
Three games remain in Stage 1 and Dempo go into Tuesday’s game with renewed focus and a full squad at their disposal. Head Coach Samir Naik has been consistent in his message throughout, the performances have been there, the results have not. Against Namdhari FC last week, Dempo created close to a dozen chances and were denied by a combination of poor finishing and an inspired opposition goalkeeper.
“The good thing is that the team is creating as many chances as we can,” Naik said ahead of Tuesday’s fixture. “In the last game there were around five or six open chances and around five or six 50-50 chances. If we score a goal in the early stages of the game, I feel we have a very good chance.”
For Naik, the belief within the camp has never wavered, and he is confident that one result can change the complexion of Dempo’s season entirely.
“There is a lot of positivity in the dressing room,” he said. “The league is very unpredictable and you can see things changing very rapidly. One win will put us in a better place.”
On team news, Naik confirmed the squad is fully fit heading into Tuesday. “There are no injury concerns. Two players who had niggles have recovered and trained today. I have a full squad available,” he said.
With the season at a critical juncture, crowd support has never been more important for Dempo SC. Coach Naik made a heartfelt appeal ahead of Tuesday’s fixture, calling on Dempo supporters and well-wishers to turn out in large numbers at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda.
“Please come and cheer for Dempo Sports Club, there is a lot to achieve for this team,” Naik said. “The players need the backing of our supporters right now.”
Defensive midfielder Amay Morajkar, one of the local players in the squad, was equally direct about where the squad stands heading into Tuesday’s game. The Golden Eagle acknowledged the frustration of the Namdhari draw but was focused entirely on what comes next.
“We were upset because we couldn’t get three points,” Morajkar said. “But for tomorrow we are really well prepared and we are looking for a positive outcome and three points.”
On the specific challenge of facing Shillong Lajong, Morajkar was measured and tactical in his assessment. “We need to win those chances and control the tempo of the game,” he said. “Shillong Lajong are a very good team they are among the top sides in the table and obviously they want to win. But it won’t be an easy game for them. We will play better tomorrow.”
Shillong Lajong arrive at Fatorda in strong form, on top of the Star Cement IFL table with 11 points alongside Sreenidi Deccan and Diamond Harbour. Their last outing was a disciplined 0-0 draw against Sreenidi Deccan, a result that highlighted both their defensive organisation and their credentials as genuine title contenders.
For Dempo, Tuesday is more than just three points. It is a statement to the league, to their supporters and to themselves that this squad has the quality and the character to deliver when it matters most.
