Sreenidi Deccan FC came from behind to hold Dempo Sports Club to a hard-fought 1-1 draw in their final Indian Football League encounter at the PJN Stadium in Goa on Friday.
Marcus Joseph gave Dempo the lead early in the sixth minute, which was eventually cancelled out by a second-half strike from Hadi Idrissou in the 71st minute as the points were shared.
With this result, Sreenidi Deccan, with 26 points from 14 matches, moved into second position after the penultimate game of the season, while Dempo finished fifth in the table, securing 15 points.
The match began with the hosts striking early to catch the visitors completely off guard. In just the sixth minute, Arnold Antonio Oliveira delivered a precise corner kick, and Joseph rose highest to plant a perfect header into the back of the net for his ninth goal of the season.
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Sreenidi Deccan gradually got hold of the midfield after numerous aerial duels but lacked precision in the final third. Despite registering a staggering 21 total shots and creating 16 chances throughout the match, the visitor largely struggled to break down a resolute home defence.
The Golden Eagles, who managed only eight shots and a single corner in comparison, relied heavily on their defensive shape and looked only for swift counter-attacks to relieve the mounting pressure.
The sustained offensive barrage from the Deccan Warriors finally yielded results as the match entered its final 20 minutes.
In the 71st minute, C Lalchungnunga delivered a dangerous cross into the box. Deepak D P headed the ball perfectly into the path of Idrissou, who finished with a clinical header at the far post to make it 1-1.
In the end, both teams were content with a point each to end their respective seasons.
Published on May 22, 2026