Goa Khabar : Dempo Sports Club are gearing up for a massive home fixture as they host league leaders Diamond Harbour FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda this Saturday evening. The highly anticipated clash is part of the Star Cement Indian Football League 2025-26 Championship Round, with kick-off scheduled for 6:30 PM IST.
Diamond Harbour arrive in Goa as the most formidable side in the IFL this season, currently sitting at the top of the table and closing in on the league title. For Dempo, however, this match is about pride, resilience, and showing their home supporters exactly what the squad has built over the course of a turbulent campaign.
Head Coach Samir Naik has had his squad working with immense purpose throughout the week, focusing heavily on both defending and attacking set pieces. Expressing quiet confidence in his team, Naik reflected on a rollercoaster season that saw Dempo start winless and in ninth place during Stage 1 before bouncing back with successive 3-0 wins to secure a Championship Round berth. The team has since proven its grit by keeping a clean sheet in Shillong and securing a gritty 1-0 win over Rajasthan United in Punjab.
Naik emphasized that despite the difficulties faced by clubs, coaches, and players in adjusting to the grueling season, he never once doubted his squad’s potential, capability, and capacity to overcome challenges. In a major boost for the Goan side, the head coach confirmed that almost the entire squad is available for selection, with forward Richmond Owusu being the only notable absentee.
Right-back Pruthvesh Pednekar, who has been one of Dempo’s most dependable pillars throughout the campaign, echoed his coach’s confidence. Having represented the Golden Eagles for nearly six years, Pednekar expressed his pride in playing on the big stage of the IFL and noted that the mood in training has been exceptionally positive, with everyone working hard to secure all three points.
With home advantage playing a crucial role at this stage of the tournament, both Naik and Pednekar made a direct appeal to the Dempo faithful to turn out in large numbers and push the team forward. To encourage a massive crowd, the club has announced that entry to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium will be completely free for all supporters through Gate No. 8.
