Sreenidi Deccan hold Dempo 1-1 to finish second in league table

Sreenidi Deccan FC ended their Indian Football League campaign with a 1-1 draw against Dempo SC at Fatorda. Marcus Joseph scored early, Hadi Idrissou equalised late, and the Deccan Warriors finished second with 26 points from 14 matches

Hyderabad: Sreenidi Deccan FC ended their Indian Football League 2025–26 season with a 1-1 draw against Dempo SC at the PJN Stadium in Fatorda (Goa) on Friday.

Marcus Joseph opened the scoring for the hosts in the 5th minute, while Hadi Idrissou netted the equaliser in the 71st minute.

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Going into the final game of the season, head coach Carlos Vaz Pinto made two changes to his starting XI. Suspended Ajay Chhetri was replaced by Lalthankhuma, while Lalchungnunga came in as a late inclusion after Fabrice Kah sustained an injury during the warm-up.

The hosts began with attacking intent and were rewarded early when Marcus Joseph headed home from a corner.

Having fallen behind, the Deccan Warriors pressed hard for the equaliser and came close on multiple occasions through set-pieces and wing play. Their best chance came via Romawia’s header, which was parried over the bar by the opposition goalkeeper. The first half ended with the Deccan Warriors trailing 1-0.

After the break, the Deccan Warriors showed greater attacking intent. Pape Gassama was introduced in the 57th minute to add more presence in midfield.

The equaliser finally arrived in the 71st minute when a cross from Lalchungnunga was headed back across goal by Deepak DP, allowing defensive partner Hadi Idrissou to nod home.

Sreenidi Deccan continued to push for the winner, but after six minutes of added time, the game ended 1-1, with both teams sharing the points.

The Deccan Warriors finished the season with 26 points from 14 matches and currently sit second in the league table, with the final league match scheduled for May 23.