Dempo find their rhythm

PANAJI

If the win against Shillong Lajong FC announced Dempo SC's return, this was their confirmation. A ruthless, composed and thoroughly professional 3-0 victory over Aizawl FC at home extended the Golden Eagles' winning run to back-to-back victories and with it, a growing sense that this Dempo side are finding their rhythm at exactly the right time.

Head Coach Samir Naik named an unchanged lineup, a quiet but telling statement of trust in a squad that has begun to repay that faith in full.

Dempo controlled the early tempo with purpose, before Aizawl grew into the contest and the game settled into a tightly contested midfield exchange. It was Aubin Kouakou who provided the moment of the half, a decisive interception that denied Aizawl what looked a certain goal, a contribution that went unheralded but proved pivotal. Knerkitalang Buam tested Aizawl goalkeeper Lalhruai Tluanga from distance before the Golden Eagles finally found the opening they had been building towards. A sharp combination between Kapil Hoble and Saiesh Bagkar carved through the Aizawl defence and Marcus Joseph arrived at precisely the right moment to apply the finishing touch. Dempo lead into the break.

The second half was a masterclass in efficiency. A Kapil Hoble corner found Aubin Kouakou, whose header grazed the woodwork and threatened to double the lead. The second goal arrived moments later, another Hoble corner, another delivery of real quality and this time Jose Moreno met it with a header that gave Lalhruai absolutely no chance. Ashish Sibi, not to be outdone produced a sharp stop at the other end to deny K. Hriata and remind everyone that this Dempo team is built on defensive solidity as much as attacking intent.

Then came the pivotal moment. A penalty awarded to Aizawl threatened to breathe life back into a contest that had seemed beyond them. Sibi had other ideas diving brilliantly to deny Zomuansanga and extinguishing any flicker of a comeback before it could begin. It was the kind of save that wins points.

Richmond Owusu went close, Gutierrez tested Lalhruai with a long-ranger that cleared the bar and then, deep into added time, the Golden Eagles delivered their finest moment of the evening. Substitute Vieri Colaco, sharp and direct from the moment he entered in the 71st minute, whipped in a cross of real precision. Sebastian Gutierrez who had been searching for that signature strike all evening, met it with everything and sent it crashing into the net, leaving Lalhruai rooted and the Golden Eagles faithful in pure delirium.