IFL 2025-26: Sreenidi Deccan edge past Diamond Harbour FC with a narrow victory in the Indian Football League

Visitors hold Diamond Harbour as they got their debut in the Indian Football League

Sreenidi Deccan FC edged past debutants Diamond Harbour FC by a solitary goal in Match three of Indian Football League (IFL) 2025-26 at the Kalyani Stadium in Kolkata on Saturday, February 28, 2026.

Cameroonian midfielder Fabrice Kah struck on the hour mark for the Hyderabad-based side, a goal that ultimately proved decisive in an early-season contest of significance.

Diamond Harbour FC were handed a gilt-edged opportunity to draw level from the penalty spot in the 72nd minute, but substitute goalkeeper Aryan Niraj Lamba emerged as the hero, producing a superb save to ensure Carlos Manuel Vaz Pinto’s side departed with all three points.

Sreenidi scored late to thrashed home team at Kalyani

The hosts set the tempo early, enjoying the bulk of possession, but genuine clear-cut opportunities remained scarce as both sides were wary of conceding. Sreenidi Deccan stayed compact at the back, soaking up the pressure with discipline. At the other end, the visitors carried a threat on the counterattack and from set-pieces, registering three shots on target and winning three corners before the interval.

The first half ended in a goalless stalemate, with both sides struggling to find the breakthrough despite a few promising moves.

However, Sreenidi Deccan FC suffered a major setback midway through the opening period. First-choice goalkeeper Bhaskar Roy picked up a non-contact muscle injury and had to be substituted, as Aryan Niraj Lamba was brought on to replace him between the sticks.

The breakthrough arrived on the hour mark. Lalromawia whipped in a superbly flighted corner that picked out David Castañeda unmarked inside the area. Castañeda’s initial header was parried by Diamond Harbour goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh, but the rebound fell kindly to Kah, who reacted quickest to steer home and hand Sreenidi a 1-0 lead.

Diamond Harbour head coach Vicuña responded with attacking substitutions, bringing on Hugo Diaz Rodriguez and Halicharan Narzary. The move almost paid dividends in the 72nd minute when Diamond Harbour were awarded a penalty after Jobby Justin was brought down in the box following an overran challenge by Sreenidi defender Jagdeep Singh.

Substitute goalkeeper Lamba, however, emerged as the savior for Sreenidi, perfectly judging the spot-kick taken by Mikel Kortazar to deny the hosts. Following the penalty scare, Vaz Pinto bolstered his defense in the 78th minute, introducing Deepak DP and Brandon Vanlalremdika in place of Lalromawia and Hadi Idrissou, respectively.

With a hefty ten minutes added on after regulation 90, Diamond Harbour threw caution to the wind and piled relentless pressure on the visitors’ penalty area. However, Sreenidi Deccan defended perfectly through the late onslaught to preserve their clean sheet and secure a crucial away victory.

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