IFL 2026/27: Dempo beat Samaleswari 2-1 in Rourkela thriller
Synopsis
Kartik Choudhary's jaw-dropping 35-yard curling lob in the 82nd minute nearly stole a point for Samaleswari, but Dempo held on for a 2-1 win in Rourkela to maintain their perfect start to IFL 2026/27. A missed point-blank tap-in in stoppage time sealed a dramatic Golden Eagles escape.
Key Takeaways
Dempo Sports Club defeated Samaleswari SC 2-1 at the Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium , Rourkela , on 5 November 2026 .
Captain Richmond Kwasi Owusu opened the scoring in the 28th minute with a tap-in after intercepting a long ball.
Laximanrao Rane doubled the lead in the 58th minute with a clinical finish past goalkeeper Aaryan Anjaneya .
Kartik Choudhary pulled one back in the 82nd minute with a spectacular left-footed curling lob from 35 yards — described as the best goal of the tournament so far.
Moroccan defender Mohammed El Jaaouani missed a point-blank tap-in in the 90+5th minute , ending Samaleswari's hopes of an equaliser.
The win keeps Dempo unbeaten and in strong form early in the IFL 2026/27 campaign.
Dempo Sports Club extended their perfect start to the Indian Football League (IFL) 2026/27 season with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Samaleswari SC at the Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium in Rourkela on Thursday, 5 November 2026. Captain Richmond Kwasi Owusu and Under-22 midfielder Laximanrao Rane scored for the Golden Eagles, before Kartik Choudhary's spectacular long-range strike set up a tense finish.
Key Developments
Samaleswari came out with intent in front of their home crowd, pushing into the Dempo half repeatedly in the opening 10 minutes. Led by captain Jayesh Dilip Rane and Kiyam Amarjit Singh in midfield, the hosts deployed an attacking trio of Argentinian forward Jorge Rolando Pereyra Diaz, Ishan Pandita, and Roshan Panna. Despite the early pressure, Samaleswari struggled to convert their chances in the final third, keeping the Dempo backline — marshalled by Uzziel Yaw Asomaning Budu, Athul Unnikrishnan, and Pruthvesh Pednekar — busy without reward.
How the Goals Came
Against the run of play, Dempo broke the deadlock in the 28th minute when skipper Richmond Owusu alertly intercepted a long ball, beat marker Shahid Nazir, and applied a simple tap-in past Samaleswari goalkeeper Aaryan Anjaneya. The Golden Eagles doubled their advantage in the 58th minute through Laximanrao Rane, who latched onto a long ball, got past Nazir again, and slotted home to put Dempo firmly in control. The Samaleswari rearguard — which also featured Ghanaian Jamal Arago, Basit Ahmed Bhat, and Moroccan Mohammed El Jaaouani — was left in disarray.
Choudhary's Moment of Magic
Samaleswari's late revival began in the 82nd minute with arguably the best goal of the tournament so far. Young defender Kartik Choudhary, spotting Dempo custodian Subhajit Bhattacharjee slightly off his line, unleashed an audacious left-footed curling lob from 35 yards that sailed over the goalkeeper and into the net, sending the Rourkela crowd into jubilation. Reinvigorated, Samaleswari pushed hard for an equaliser across six minutes of added time.
Late Drama and Narrow Escape
The most dramatic moment came in the 90+5th minute, when a Samaleswari corner produced a rebound that fell to Moroccan defender Mohammed El Jaaouani in the box — requiring only a simple tap-in. El Jaaouani failed to convert, however, leaving Bhattacharjee and the Golden Eagles to hold on for all three points. Brazilian forward Cledson Carvalho Dasilva and Owusu had kept the hosts' defence occupied throughout the final stages, helping Dempo manage the closing threat.
What This Means for the Season
The victory keeps Dempo's winning momentum intact heading deeper into the IFL 2026/27 campaign. The Golden Eagles showed resilience and tactical discipline on the road, while Samaleswari will rue missed chances and the late heartbreak of El Jaaouani's squandered tap-in. With both clubs still in the early stages of the league, further meetings could carry even greater stakes.
Point of View
Struck on the counter twice, and then held on through genuine adversity. Choudhary's 35-yard lob was the kind of goal that changes momentum completely, and El Jaaouani's late miss will haunt Samaleswari. The pattern here — a technically superior visiting side weathering home-crowd pressure and nicking an away win on efficiency — is a recurring theme in Indian club football, where the gap between dominating possession and converting it remains wide for home sides.
NationPress
6 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the Dempo vs Samaleswari IFL 2026/27 match?
Dempo Sports Club won 2-1 against Samaleswari SC at the Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium in Rourkela on 5 November 2026. Richmond Kwasi Owusu and Laximanrao Rane scored for Dempo, while Kartik Choudhary replied for Samaleswari.
Who scored for Dempo Sports Club in the IFL match?
Captain Richmond Kwasi Owusu scored in the 28th minute and Under-22 midfielder Laximanrao Rane added a second in the 58th minute. Both goals came on counter-attacks, with Shahid Nazir beaten on each occasion.
What was Kartik Choudhary's goal against Dempo?
Kartik Choudhary scored a stunning left-footed curling lob from 35 yards in the 82nd minute, spotting Dempo goalkeeper Subhajit Bhattacharjee off his line. It has been described as the best goal of the IFL 2026/27 tournament so far.
What happened in stoppage time at the end of the match?
In the 90+5th minute, a Samaleswari corner produced a rebound that fell to Moroccan defender Mohammed El Jaaouani inside the box, but he failed to convert what appeared to be a simple tap-in. Dempo held on to win 2-1.
How has Dempo Sports Club started the IFL 2026/27 season?
Dempo Sports Club have made a winning start to the IFL 2026/27 campaign, with this victory in Rourkela continuing their early-season momentum. The result demonstrates their ability to grind out results away from home.
