Rourkela, Nov 5: Dempo Sports Club kicked off their Indian Football League (IFL) 2026/27 campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Samaleswari SC at the Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium. Goals from Richmond Kwasi Owusu and Laximanrao Rane secured the crucial away points for the Goan side, despite a late scare from the home team.

Samaleswari, playing in front of their home crowd, started aggressively. Led by captain Jayesh Dilip Rane and Kiyam Amarjit Singh, they pressed Dempo's defense early on. However, it was Dempo who broke the deadlock in the 28th minute when captain Richmond Owusu capitalized on a long ball, beating his marker Shahid Nazir to tap it past goalkeeper Aaryan Anjaneya.

Dempo carried their momentum into the second half. Laximanrao Rane doubled their lead in the 58th minute with a clinical finish, once again getting the better of Shahid Nazir. Samaleswari's struggles in the final third continued, but a moment of brilliance in the 82nd minute saw young defender Kartik Choudhary score a stunning long-range lob, reigniting hope for the home side. Despite a frantic final few minutes and a missed opportunity in stoppage time by Mohammed El Jaaouani, Dempo held on to secure the win, much to the relief of their fans.

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