Dempo Sports Club is gearing up to continue their positive momentum as they host Rajasthan United FC on February 1, 2025, at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda for their I-League 2024-25 clash. After securing their first home victory of the season with a narrow 1-0 win against Delhi FC, the Golden Eagles are eager to climb up the league standings.
Dempo SC managed to break through their home drought thanks to super sub Nestor Dias, who came off the bench to score the winner, ending their five-match winless streak. This important result saw the club rise to eighth place, accumulating 14 points from 11 matches, just two points shy of seventh-placed Rajasthan United, who have garnered 16 points from the same number of games.
Head Coach Samir Naik remains optimistic about his squad's ability to keep the momentum going. He emphasized his faith in his domestic players, expressing, "I always had confidence in my players, and I always will," during interactions with the press. This confidence stems from the team’s previous season where they gained promotion through their strong performances.
Rajasthan United will enter this contest on the back of mixed results, recently drawing 1-1 against Inter Kashi. Bidyashagar Singh opened the scoring for Kashi, but Martand Raina's equalizer just before halftime salvaged a point for Rajasthan. Coach Walter Caprile acknowledged the challenge posed by Dempo, stating, "Dempo is a very good team with good players and a coach. It is important for Rajasthan to play strong with intensity." Both teams are well aware of the current league scenario, where the margins between the top and bottom are razor-thin.
Historical performance between the two clubs adds extra flavor to this encounter. Their last meeting ended with a 1-1 draw, with Dempo’s Shaher Shaheen leveling the score late on. The anticipation surrounding this match builds on the foundation of their competitive spirit paired with the urgency to secure points for league standings.
On the injury front, Dempo SC is managing several challenges; Syrian defender Shaher Shaheen has been sidelined, as has new signing Didier Brossou. Meanwhile, their attacking options are less than ideal, with Nigerian forward Lukman Adefemi not fully fit and Argentine Damian Perez returning from injury. Despite this, Coach Naik remains steadfast and may opt for the all-Indian approach again, as demonstrated by their recent success.
The I-League, known for its unpredictable nature where every match is fiercely contested, will see both teams strategizing closely. Fans can expect physical play and tactical adjustments, which are hallmarks of this competition.
The kickoff is set for 3:30 PM IST, and the match promises to be pivotal, not just for points but for the confidence and morale of both clubs as they compete fiercely for positioning as the league progresses. This matchup is marked as closely anticipated, with Dempo SC eager to showcase the strength of their local talent. With all eyes on Fatorda, the atmosphere is set to be electric as the Golden Eagles take flight against the Raiders from Rajasthan.