Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
MAHILPUR: Dempo Sports Club’s struggles continued as they fell 1-2 to Delhi FC in the I-League 2024-25 match played at the Mahilpur Football Stadium, here, on Sunday, securing the hosts’ first victory in 10 matches.
Dempo SC paid the price for a shaky first half, conceding twice in the first 20 minutes. Cameroonian forward Samir Binong put Delhi FC 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 with a sublime free-kick in the 35th minute. However, despite a stronger second-half display, Dempo SC failed to capitalise on their momentum. With their second consecutive defeat, Dempo SC stay 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 SC’s Mohamed Ali misjudged the flight of the ball.
Dempo SC’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 FC’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 SC alive.
With Dempo SC on the verge of collapse, Marcus 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 SC’s attack.
The goal lifted the visitors and they came out in the second half with renewed intent. They frequently broke through Delhi FC’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 FC keeper Debnath Mondal to produce a crucial save, diving low to his left.
As the match progressed, Dempo SC pressed hard for an equaliser, but Delhi FC sat deep and defended resolutely, frustrating the visitors. Despite dominating possession in the closing stages, Dempo SC struggled to carve out clear-cut chances, allowing Delhi FC to hold firm and claim a crucial victory. For Dempo SC, the defeat deepens their struggles, as they search for solutions with the season entering a crucial phase. Dempo SC will now face SC Bengaluru at home on March 8, at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, 4.30 pm.
RESULT
Delhi FC 2 (Samir Binong 4’, Victor Kamhuka 20’)
Dempo Sports Club 1 (Marcus Joseph 35’)