Dempo Sports Club came to Shillong, Meghalaya looking for three points. The Golden Eagles leave with one and in the context of what unfolded at the SSA Stadium on Sunday evening, it is a point that was earned every bit as much as it was defended.
A goalless draw against second-placed Shillong Lajong FC in the opening fixture of the Championship Round tells only part of the story. For long stretches of the evening, the Golden Eagles were under the kind of pressure that tests defensive resolve to its limit and they did not crack.
Head Coach Samir Naik made two changes to his starting lineup, with Vieri Colaco and Sebastian Gutierrez coming in for Ariston Costa and Richmond Owusu. The reshaped side took time to find its footing but grew into the game with every passing minute.
Shillong Lajong set the tempo from the off. In the initial play of the match Lamlallian cut inside and tested Dempo’s defensive shape with a direct shot only for Aubin Kouakou to throw himself into the line of fire and block it away. It was the first of many interventions from the Ivorian, who was commanding throughout the evening. At the other end, Kapil Hoble came close with an effort that drifted just wide a moment that had it gone in, might have changed the entire shape of the match.
The most remarkable moment of the first half came when a pass from Kouakou slipped through to Everbrightson Sana of Shillong but Jose Moreno, in a moment of brilliant presence of mind, reacted instantly to clear the danger off the line.
Seconds later, Phrangki Buam one of the most dangerous forwards got sight of goal, only for Ashish Sibi to produce a sharp save and keep the scoreline level.
Shillong had the ball, the territory and the chances in the first half. What they did not have was a way through a Dempo rearguard that refused to give an inch. The sides went in level at the break.
The second half followed a similar pattern Shillong probing, Dempo absorbing and hitting on the counter with real intent. Sebastian Gutierrez drove forward and struck with purpose, forcing Shillong goalkeeper Ranit Sarkar into a sharp stop.
Dempo’s best opportunity of the evening a diagonal ball from Gutierrez found Jose Moreno, who laid it off perfectly for Marcus Joseph. The Trinidad and Tobago striker struck cleanly but Sarkar reacted brilliantly to hold the effort and deny what would have been a memorable goal.
Shillong pushed relentlessly in the closing stages, testing Dempo’s backline with wave after wave of attacking intent. On at least one occasion it was not just the defenders who came to Dempo’s rescue; the woodwork itself denied Shillong what would have been a winner. Through it all, Kouakou and Moreno stood tall two players who gave absolutely everything to keep the Golden Eagles in the game.
The final whistle sounded with the scoreboard reading 0-0. A point taken in one of the most difficult away fixtures the Championship Round has to offer.
Dempo’s next fixture:
Rajasthan United Football Club vs Dempo SC, 1st May, 2026, Namdhari Football Stadium, Ludhiana.
