AIFF Super Cup: East Bengal, Dempo SC play out 2-2 draw in opener

Bambolim (Goa) [India], October 25 (ANI): A profligate East Bengal were left to rue their missed chances as they were held to a dramatic 2-2 draw by a resilient Dempo SC in their opening Group A match of the Super Cup 2025-26 at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim on Saturday, October 25, 2025.

Mohamed Ali gave Dempo a first-half lead before Naorem Mahesh Singh and Miguel Ferreira turned the game around for East Bengal. But just when victory seemed secure, Laximanrao Rane struck late for Dempo to break the hearts of the Red and Golds.

It was the first meeting between these two historic clubs in more than a decade, with East Bengal having emerged victorious the last time they clashed in the I-League back in 2015, as per an All India Football Federation (AIFF).

The Red and Golds, who were Super Cup champions in 2024 and runners-up in the recent IFA Shield, entered Saturday's contest as clear favourites. But Dempo, unbeaten in this season's Goa Pro League and playing on home soil, refused to play to the script.

It was East Bengal, though, who came flying out of the blocks and should have been ahead within two minutes. Bipin Singh whipped in a low cross from the left, finding Hiroshi Ibusuki in space. But the Japanese striker's first-time effort thundered against the crossbar.

Buoyed by the early opportunity, East Bengal began to maintain possession, dictate the tempo of the game and move the ball sharply through midfield. It was purposeful play, but the final product was missing as they wasted numerous chances.

Dempo, on the other hand, made the most of the opportunity they got in the 27th minute from a set-piece. Amay Morajkar floated a teasing free-kick into the box. East Bengal goalkeeper Debjit Majumdar rushed off his line but completely misjudged the flight of the ball. In the ensuing chaos, the ball fell kindly to Mohamed Ali, who made no mistake slotting into an empty net.

The goal shifted the momentum as Dempo grew into the game. Their defenders, compact and resolute, began to frustrate East Bengal, who went into half-time trailing 1-0 despite dominating most of the first half.

However, East Bengal regrouped and came out all guns blazing. Just a minute after the restart, East Bengal's Hamid Ahadad unleashed a stinging shot from distance. Dempo goalkeeper Ashish Sibi parried it straight into the path of Naorem Mahesh Singh, who smashed home a grounded left-footer to level the score at 1-1.

The equaliser reignited East Bengal's rhythm, and in the 57th minute, substitute Miguel Ferreira produced a moment of individual brilliance. Lalchungnunga lofted a perfectly weighted ball over the Dempo defence on the left flank. Ferreira sprinted onto it and, from a tight angle, struck a fierce bouncing shot that flew past Sibi into the far corner to finally give East Bengal the lead.

The Red and Golds pressed on, looking for the killer blow. In the 63rd minute, Mahesh Singh came agonisingly close to a third when his curling shot from a cleverly worked short corner rattled the outside of the post. Ferreira had another golden opportunity in the 76th minute. Slipped through by Mahesh Singh inside the box, he tried to lift the ball over the onrushing Sibi, only for the goalkeeper to make a crucial touch and deny him.

As the minutes ticked away, Dempo refused to wilt. In the 89th minute, Laximanrao Rane received the ball at the edge of the East Bengal penalty area. Shielding it superbly from his marker, he swivelled and drilled a low shot toward the first post, which saw Majumdar rooted to the spot as the ball nestled into the net to send the Dempo dugout into wild celebrations. (ANI)

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