Dempo Sports Club host a formidable Rajasthan United in the Star Cement Indian Football League 2025-26 at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda today evening. The Golden Eagles have climbed from ninth to fifth position with back-to-back 3-0 victories over Shillong Lajong FC and Aizawl FC, six goals scored none conceded and a statement made, that Dempo mean business.
Head Coach Samir Naik has been calm and clear about why it has happened. “If you look at the team from where we started in the first match and where we are now, the team is set,” Naik said. “When the league began, most players arrived just a day or two before, some only a week before. Over time we have known each other very well. The fitness and the understanding are better. It is overall a different team now.”
That togetherness has shown on the pitch. Dempo have looked sharper, more organised and more clinical than at any point earlier in the season. And Naik won’t change that. “We will approach this game in a similar way to how we have done it earlier,” he said. “Our intention was always to win; it is no different this time.”
There are a few injury concerns within the squad but Naik was confident in the players available to him. “I have full faith in my squad,” he said. “I strongly believe in every member of this team.”
Ghanaian forward Richmond Owusu spoke for the whole dressing room when he addressed the press. The striker was focused, motivated and left nobody in any doubt about what this group is going after.
“We are motivated and we are ready for this game because we need these three points, we need them very well,” Owusu said. “The camp is very good.”
On facing Rajasthan United, Owusu was said, “We know Rajasthan United FC are very well organised. We have prepared our strategy and we are going in fully for three points. Tomorrow is a crucial game for me and for my team. We are going in as a team and surely we are taking the three points as a team.”
Both Naik and Owusu had one message to the fans. “Please come and support the team because we need that push,” Naik said. “Without the fans, the stands look empty.”
Owusu added “They should come in numbers. This is a final game for us and we need their support. Without them the stands are empty they should come and support us.”
With the season at its most important point, supporters and well-wishers are urged to come out in large numbers to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Sunday. Entry is free through Gate No. 8.
Standing across from Dempo SC, will be Rajasthan United FC – third in the table with fourteen points and one of the most organised sides in the IFL this season. They have real quality going forward with Amadou Soukouna leading the attack and Naoba Meitei being a threat from wide areas. They lost their last game 1-2 to Sreenidi Deccan and will come to Fatorda looking to bounce back strongly. This will not be an easy afternoon but Dempo know that and they are ready for it.
Star Cement IFL 2025-26: Dempo SC vs Rajasthan United FC, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda Goa. KO 4:00 PM. IST.
(Watch live on the Doordarshan Sports Channel, Waves OTT or Sony Network Channel)
