Bambolim (Goa) [India], October 25 (ANI): A profligate East Bengal have been left to rue their missed probabilities as they have been held to a dramatic 2-2 draw by a resilient Dempo SC of their opening Group A match of the Super Cup 2025-26 on the GMC Stadium in Bambolim on Saturday, October 25, 2025.
Mohamed Ali gave Dempo a first-half lead earlier than Naorem Mahesh Singh and Miguel Ferreira turned the sport round for East Bengal. But simply when victory appeared safe, Laximanrao Rane struck late for Dempo to interrupt the hearts of the Red and Golds.
It was the primary assembly between these two historic golf equipment in additional than a decade, with East Bengal having emerged victorious the final time they clashed within the I-League again in 2015, as per an All India Football Federation (AIFF).
The Red and Golds, who have been Super Cup champions in 2024 and runners-up within the current IFA Shield, entered Saturday’s contest as clear favourites. But Dempo, unbeaten on this season’s Goa Pro League and taking part in on residence soil, refused to play to the script.
It was East Bengal, although, who got here flying out of the blocks and may have been forward inside two minutes. Bipin Singh whipped in a low cross from the left, discovering Hiroshi Ibusuki in area. But the Japanese striker’s first-time effort thundered in opposition to the crossbar.
Buoyed by the early alternative, East Bengal started to keep up possession, dictate the tempo of the sport and transfer the ball sharply by way of midfield. It was purposeful play, however the ultimate product was lacking as they wasted quite a few probabilities.
Dempo, alternatively, made the a lot of the alternative they obtained within the twenty seventh minute from a set-piece. Amay Morajkar floated a teasing free-kick into the field. East Bengal goalkeeper Debjit Majumdar rushed off his line however utterly misjudged the flight of the ball. In the following chaos, the ball fell kindly to Mohamed Ali, who made no mistake slotting into an empty internet.
The objective shifted the momentum as Dempo grew into the sport. Their defenders, compact and resolute, started to frustrate East Bengal, who went into half-time trailing 1-0 regardless of dominating a lot of the first half.
However, East Bengal regrouped and got here out all weapons blazing. Just a minute after the restart, East Bengal’s Hamid Ahadad unleashed a stinging shot from distance. Dempo goalkeeper Ashish Sibi parried it straight into the trail of Naorem Mahesh Singh, who smashed residence a grounded left-footer to degree the rating at 1-1.
The equaliser reignited East Bengal’s rhythm, and within the 57th minute, substitute Miguel Ferreira produced a second of particular person brilliance. Lalchungnunga lofted a superbly weighted ball over the Dempo defence on the left flank. Ferreira sprinted onto it and, from a decent angle, struck a fierce bouncing shot that flew previous Sibi into the far nook to lastly give East Bengal the lead.
The Red and Golds pressed on, searching for the killer blow. In the 63rd minute, Mahesh Singh got here agonisingly near a 3rd when his curling shot from a cleverly labored quick nook rattled the surface of the publish. Ferreira had one other golden alternative within the 76th minute. Slipped by way of by Mahesh Singh contained in the field, he tried to carry the ball over the onrushing Sibi, just for the goalkeeper to make an important contact and deny him.
As the minutes ticked away, Dempo refused to wilt. In the 89th minute, Laximanrao Rane acquired the ball on the fringe of the East Bengal penalty space. Shielding it fantastically from his marker, he swivelled and drilled a low shot towards the primary publish, which noticed Majumdar rooted to the spot because the ball nestled into the web to ship the Dempo dugout into wild celebrations. (ANI)