Golden Eagles look to end campaign on a high
Dempo SC head coach Samir Naik oversees a training session ahead of the final clash of the season.
FRIDAY FIXTURE
Dempo SC vs Sreenidi Deccan FC, PJN Stadium, Fatorda, 6.30 pm
Note: Entry is free for spectators through Gate No. 8
PANAJI
One last game. One last evening at Fatorda. Dempo Sports Club bring the curtain down on their Indian Football League 2025-26 season on Friday when they face Sreenidi Deccan FC at the PJN Stadium, Fatorda. The kick-off is at 6.30 pm.
The Golden Eagles had a season to remember. From the lows of Stage 1 to competing with the best sides in the Championship Round, the squad has earned every moment of what comes next.
Head coach Samir Naik looked back at the Diamond Harbour performance with the measured satisfaction of a coach who saw exactly what his squad is capable of.
"Overall, the last game was much better performance-wise," Naik said. "We had chances to finish the game off. Next game we will take it in a positive way, seeing what we have done in the last game."
On the season as a whole, Naik said, "We played all games well but some lack of focus in certain games cost us. He said, "Concentration needs to be better that is the only thing we were lacking. But the positive is that we stuck together as a team and gave our best on the ground every time."
Naik was clear about where the focus lies heading into next season. "Performance-wise I am happy," he said. "We will build on that and come back stronger.
The squad is fully available tomorrow with Richmond Owusu the only player absent. Naik ended his pre-match address with a direct appeal to the supporters of Goa.
"Please come for the game and cheer us," he said. "It is not easy to get fans back. Hopefully when we do better next season we can convince them by winning."
Centre-back Mohamed Ali carries the experience of a player who has lived every moment of this campaign every training session, every away trip, every result. And he goes into the final game of the season with a conviction that is hard to ignore.
"Everything is positive," Ali said. "It was positive since the start but we have gelled up more now. Lately we are picking up much better."
Ali said, "We have all proved that we can play much better football," he said. "Tomorrow will be one of the best days, I feel it. We are all very motivated and confident that we will put up a good show."
When asked to reflect on a season that tested every member of this squad in different ways, Ali pointed to the one thing that held this group together when the results were not coming.
"Our togetherness and team unity kept us together," he said. "Everyone was working hard whether playing or not, on the bench, in the stands, the coaching staff, everyone was together. Ups and downs are part of it. But our unity kept us motivated through all of it."
His message to the Dempo supporters ahead of tomorrow was simple and from the heart. "No one wants to lose, but sometimes the scoreline does not go the way you want. That is football," Ali said. "Please show up tomorrow. We will not disappoint. With all the players together, being the last match, it will be one of the best games."
Sreenidi Deccan arrive at Fatorda as one of the most defensively disciplined sides in the Championship Round, difficult to break down, dangerous on the counter through David Castaneda and Brandon Vanlalremdika and a side that has competed with every team in this league this season.
Dempo have appealed to their supporters to come out in numbers to the PJN Stadium. Entry is free through Gate No. 8.
