Dempo Sports Club suffered their first defeat, a 3-1 reverse against SC Bengaluru at Bangalore Football Stadium in their I-League 2024-25 campaign.
SC Bengaluru took the lead early through Krishananda Singh while Dempo SC responded in the 42nd minute with a stunning acrobatic finish from Saiesh Bagkar, who met Damian Perez’s perfectly delivered corner at the near post to level the score. Bengaluru regained the lead when Johnson headed it home from a right-flank cross while Lamela sealed the win in the dying moments, smashing into the top-right corner.
SC Bengaluru struck early as Krishananda Singh capitalized on a defensive lapse to fire home in just the 2nd minute. A curling corner from the left was partially cleared by Dempo’s Saiesh, but the ball fell perfectly for Krishananda, who made no mistake in slotting it past the keeper to hand the hosts an early advantage.
SC Bengaluru came close to doubling their lead moments later when they earned a free kick in a dangerous spot just outside the box. Lamela stepped up and delivered a curling effort over the wall, but Dempo’s goalkeeper Ashish Sibi produced a stunning diving save to keep his side in the contest.
Minutes later, Doungel came agonizingly close to leveling the score. After expertly skipping past his marker, he unleashed a powerful strike from the left flank that whistled just wide of the target.
Dempo SC drew level in the 42nd minute, courtesy of a brilliant finish from Saiesh Bagkar. Damian Perez delivered a precise corner from the right, finding Saiesh perfectly positioned at the near post. The left-back showcased his agility with an acrobatic strike to bring the Golden Eagles back on level terms.
SC Bengaluru came out firing in the second half, pressing relentlessly in search of a go-ahead goal. However, Dempo’s defensive duo of Ali and Shaheen stood firm, expertly neutralizing the hosts’ attacking threats. Moments later, Doungel delivered a menacing cross into the box, only for a Bengaluru defender to step in and avert the danger.
In the 65th minute, Dempo’s Kapil Hoble nearly produced a moment of magic, curling a right-sided corner kick directly towards goal. However, Bengaluru’s goalkeeper was alert to the danger, leaping to palm the effort away and keep the scoreline intact.
Minutes later, Dempo SC’s Damian Perez delivered a sharp low cross into the box, prompting Bengaluru goalkeeper Lama to step in and claim it. However, a collision with an onrushing defender left Lama with a head injury, forcing him to be substituted. Bordoloi stepped in as his replacement, adding a twist to Bengaluru’s defensive setup.
In the 80th minute, Bengaluru’s Shafeel unleashed a powerful strike from the edge of the box, aiming for the bottom corner. However, Dempo’s goalkeeper Ashish Sibi was equal to the challenge, making a crucial save to deny the hosts once again.
SC Bengaluru reclaimed the lead when a pinpoint cross from the right flank found Johnson unmarked at the far post, and he made no mistake, nodding it home with precision.
In the dying moments, Shafeel set up Lamela with a perfectly weighted square pass at the edge of the box. Lamela took a touch to control before unleashing a stunning strike into the top-right corner, sealing a 3-1 victory for Bengaluru.
