I-League 2024-25: Dempo Secures First Win Against Shillong Lajong

Shillong, Nov 30 (NationPress) Dempo Sports Club, former champions, celebrated their first win of the 2024-25 I-League season with a 2-0 triumph over Shillong Lajong FC at the SSA Stadium on Saturday.

Pruthvesh Pednekar scored in the 53rd minute, followed by Matija Babovic in the 90th minute, ensuring a significant away victory for Dempo. After being held to a goalless draw against Aizawl FC in their opening match, this win was crucial for their campaign.

Conversely, Shillong Lajong encountered a disappointing result at home following their spirited effort in the previous match, where they managed to secure a draw against Churchill Brothers despite trailing by two goals. Unfortunately, they could not mirror that fighting spirit in this encounter.

Dempo employed a defensive tactic akin to their last match, concentrating on maintaining a well-organized formation that absorbed the pressure from Lajong's attacks. This strategy kept them competitive during the first half, which saw few real scoring chances for either team. However, just before half-time, Babovic nearly found the net with a low shot that was expertly saved by Lajong’s goalkeeper Neithovilie Chalieu.

The second half brought a change in momentum as Dempo grew more aggressive. Their altered approach quickly paid off when Pruthvesh Pednekar connected with a corner from Cristián Damian Perez in the 53rd minute. Although Chalieu got a hand on it, the power and accuracy of the header were overwhelming, giving Dempo the lead.

As the match approached its end, Dempo solidified their advantage with a brilliant goal from Babović in the 91st minute. Positioned on the right flank, Babović unleashed a powerful shot that curved strikingly, eluding Chalieu and crashing into the top right corner of the net, thereby providing the Goan giants with an insurmountable lead.