New Delhi, April 11 (NationPress) Diamond Harbour FC has made history by becoming the first team to secure promotion to the I-League 2025-26 on Friday. The club from West Bengal triumphed over Sports Academy Tirur with a scoreline of 2-1 in Manjeri, effectively guaranteeing them a top-two finish in the 2024-25 I-League 2 season.

Remaining unbeaten through 14 matches, Diamond Harbour FC has taken the Indian third tier by storm, achieving promotion with two matches left to play. After clinching the I-League 3 title earlier this season to qualify for I-League 2, Kibu Vicuna's squad now has the chance to secure additional silverware on April 19.

If Diamond Harbour manages to secure at least a point against Chanmari FC, they will be crowned the champions of I-League 2. Currently, they lead the league with 34 points, boasting 10 wins and four draws.

Chanmari FC is in second place with 30 points, while third-place Sporting Clube de Goa has 25 points after suffering a surprising 1-2 defeat to relegation-threatened NEROCA FC. The second promotion spot will be contested between either the Mizoram or Goa club.

The goals for Diamond Harbour were scored by Pintu Mahata (61’) and Suprodip Hazra (79’), with both goals coming on either side of Aqib Nawab's penalty for the hosts in the 67th minute. Mahata opened the scoring with a sharp volley from 10 yards out, and Hazra followed suit with a stunning right-footed half-volley that found the top corner.

On the relegation front, KLASA FC was the first team to be relegated following a heavy 0-7 defeat to FC Bengaluru United on Thursday, April 10. Their fellow Manipur team, TRAU FC, is currently in the other relegation spot, five points behind local rivals NEROCA FC, with only two matches remaining.