Dempo SC go down fighting against Diamond Harbour FC

Diamond Harbour FC – 2 (Antonio Carrasquilla 45+3, Hugo Rodriguez 70’)

Dempo SC – 1 (Marcus Joseph 55)

Goa Khabar: Dempo SC battled with tremendous heart but were made to pay for missed opportunities as Diamond Harbour FC claimed a 2-1 victory in a hard-fought encounter. Dempo matched their opponents in large spells but a lack of clinical finishing at crucial moments ultimately cost them.

Diamond Harbour set the tone early, gradually wrestling control of possession and pushing Dempo deeper into their own half. The hosts grew increasingly dangerous through a flurry of corners, but Dempo goalkeeper Ashish Sibi was an immovable presence, commanding his area with authority and denying everything Diamond Harbour threw at him.

Dempo’s best opening fell to Marcus Joseph, who found himself perfectly placed after Sebastian Gutierrez threaded a sublime ball through the Diamond Harbour defence but the striker sent his effort over the crossbar when a goal seemed certain. It proved a costly miss. Despite Dempo’s resolute defending, Diamond Harbour snatched the lead in the 45+3^rd minute to take a slender advantage into the break.