Margao (Goa) [India], May 21 (ANI): Dempo SC will face Sreenidi Deccan FC of their ultimate Championship Phase fixture of the Indian Football League (IFL) 2025-26 on the PJN Stadium in Fatorda on Friday.
The match will kick off at 18:30 IST and might be broadcast reside on DD Sports and Sony Sports Network, with streaming accessible on Waves and Sony LIV, as per a press launch from IFL.
Both groups will head into the competition aiming to conclude their respective campaigns on a optimistic be aware after encouraging performances of their earlier outings.
Dempo’s confidence might be excessive after the Golden Eagles held league leaders Diamond Harbour FC to a 1-1 draw of their final encounter. Even although the purpose was sufficient for Diamond Harbour to seal the title, it was nonetheless a commendable efficiency from Dempo.
Head coach Samir Naik expressed satisfaction along with his group’s show within the earlier fixture whereas additionally stressing the significance of constructing on the positives. ‘We had possibilities to complete off that recreation. So, subsequent recreation we are going to take it in a optimistic means, seeing what we’ve got achieved within the final recreation,’ mentioned Naik.
Defender Mohamed Ali additionally highlighted the optimistic environment inside the squad heading into the ultimate recreation of the season. ‘It was optimistic from the beginning, however we’ve got gelled extra now. Lately, we’re enhancing significantly better,’ he acknowledged.
Morale can even be excessive within the Sreenidi camp after the Deccan Warriors secured a 2-1 win towards Chanmari FC of their earlier fixture. Lalromawia and David Castaneda Munoz discovered the again of the online in an vital victory for the Hyderabad-based outfit.
Sreenidi head coach Carlos Vaz Pinto acknowledged the problem posed by Dempo and praised the progress made by the Goan aspect in the course of the marketing campaign.
‘For me, Dempo is among the finest groups within the Indian Football League this season. They have high quality gamers. I really feel that they’re rising recreation by recreation. They are higher now than earlier than. I really feel the expectations for this season are excessive for them as a result of final season they did nicely. They have an skilled coach with high quality, and likewise the gamers. So, I really feel that it is a troublesome opponent,’ mentioned Pinto.
Defender Hadi Idrissou, in the meantime, harassed the significance of sustaining focus till the tip of the marketing campaign whereas reflecting on his personal performances this season, ‘I can not say something about my efficiency. I’m a participant. I do my job and depart the remainder for folks to say. I can not say, ‘Yeah, I do know that I’m doing nicely.’ But for me, nothing is completed. I’ve to go till the tip. That’s all I can say,’ Idrissou remarked.
With each groups set to play their ultimate match of the season, a powerful end would be the main goal. Dempo, presently sixth within the Championship Phase standings with 14 factors, can transfer as much as fifth with a victory, overtaking Chanmari FC, which concluded its marketing campaign with 15 factors.
Sreenidi, in the meantime, sits third with 25 factors, stage on factors with second-placed Shillong Lajong FC. A win, coupled with Shillong dropping factors towards Diamond Harbour, might see the Deccan Warriors end runners-up.
Both sides are anticipated to strategy the competition with freedom and attacking intent, given the restricted stress surrounding the fixture. An early objective might due to this fact play a key position in serving to both group set up management.
Dempo will as soon as once more look in direction of the attacking duo of Joseph and Sebastian Gutierrez to offer the leading edge within the ultimate third. Joseph is presently the joint-top scorer within the IFL 2025-26 with eight targets and one help, whereas Gutierrez has contributed two targets and two assists. Seigoumang Doungel is predicted to play an influential position within the wider areas.
At the again, the skilled pairing of Jose Luis Moreno and Aubin Kouakou will marshal the defence, with Pruthvesh Pednekar and Darell Mascarenhas providing help within the full-back positions.
Sreenidi additionally possess vital attacking high quality, with Munoz and Fabrice Kah Nkwoh more likely to spearhead the frontline. Munoz has registered 5 targets and one help this season, whereas Nkwoh has contributed three targets and one help. Lalromawia, contemporary from scoring within the earlier match, and Brandon Vanlalremdika are anticipated to offer width and creativity from the flanks.
With each groups keen to finish their campaigns on a excessive and carry optimistic momentum into subsequent season, an entertaining contest might be on the playing cards in Fatorda. (ANI)