Early defensive lapses prove costly in 1-2 loss to Delhi
PANAJI
Dempo SC’s struggles continued as they fell 2-1 to Delhi FC in the I-League 2024-25 at the Mahilpur Football Stadium on Sunday, securing the hosts’ first victory in 10 matches.
Dempo paid the price for a shaky first half, conceding twice in the first 20 minutes. Cameroonian forward Samir Binong put Delhi ahead inside four minutes, capitalising on a defensive lapse, before Zimbabwean defender Victor Kamhuka doubled the lead from a corner.
Marcus Joseph, the Trinidadian forward, pulled one back for the Golden Eagles with a sublime free kick in the 35th minute. However, despite a stronger second-half display, Dempo failed to capitalise on their momentum. With their second consecutive defeat, Dempo remain in ninth place with 19 points from 17 matches.
Delhi FC wasted no time and broke the deadlock within the first five minutes. A half-cleared corner fell to Hridaya Jain on the right. His whipped cross into the six-yard box found Binong, who slid in to finish after Dempo’s Mohamed Ali misjudged the flight of the ball.
Dempo’s fragile defence struggled under constant pressure. In the eighth minute, Binong nearly doubled his tally, weaving past two defenders before forcing a sharp save from Ashish Sibi at his near post. However, Delhi’s relentless pressing paid off in the 20th minute. Jain’s corner found Kamhuka, who rose unchallenged and nodded home to make it 2-0.
Delhi FC almost sealed the game minutes later when Binong curled a shot toward the top corner, but Sibi produced a brilliant diving save to keep Dempo alive.
With Dempo on the verge of collapse, Marcus Joseph produced a moment of brilliance. In the 35th minute, the Trinidadian forward curled a free kick around the wall and into the top corner, halving the deficit and injecting life into Dempo’s attack.
The goal lifted the visitors and they came out in the second half with renewed intent. They frequently broke through Delhi’s midfield, but a lack of precision in the final third cost them dearly. Their best chance came in the 55th minute when a long-range effort seemed destined for the bottom corner, only for Delhi keeper Debnath Mondal to produce a crucial save, diving low to his left.
As the match progressed, Dempo pressed hard for an equalizer, but Delhi FC sat deep and defended resolutely, frustrating the visitors. Despite dominating possession in the closing stages, Dempo struggled to carve out clear-cut chances, allowing Delhi FC to hold firm and claim a crucial victory.
For Dempo, the defeat deepens their struggles, as they search for solutions with the season entering a crucial phase.
RESULTS
Delhi FC 2 (Samir Binong 4’, Victor Kamhuka 20’) beat Dempo Sports Club 1 (Marcus Joseph 35’)
Sreenidi Deccan FC 0 lost to Namdhari FC 1 (Cledson Carvalho Dasilva 12’)
Inter Kashi 1 (Mario Barco 90+5') lost to Real Kashmir 3 (Abdou Karim Samb 37’, Paulo Cézar 45+5’, Gnohere Krizo 90+6’)
