On a damp evening at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Dempo Sports Club displayed discipline, structure, and tactical maturity to hold heavyweights Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) to a goalless draw in their Super Cup encounter on Tuesday.
Head coach Samir Naik’s voice echoed across the touchline throughout the match, repeatedly calling for his team to win “second balls.” But unlike many in his position, Naik never let frustration take over — his composure reflected belief in his players and his system. The Golden Eagles responded with resilience, executing their coach’s plans to near perfection.
Coming off a spirited 2-2 draw against East Bengal, Dempo once again proved they could go toe-to-toe with India’s top-tier teams. In the first half, they conceded just two key chances — one in the 25th minute when Jason Cummings’ strike went wide, and another in the 35th when goalkeeper Ashish Sibi denied the Australian forward. Other than those moments, Dempo held firm, frustrating a much-changed Bagan lineup that featured eight new faces.
After the break, Bagan coach Jose Molina sought a breakthrough by introducing Jamie Maclaren, Alberto Rodriguez, Manvir Singh, and Lalengmawia (Apuia) Ralte. The changes sparked urgency, with the Mariners creating a flurry of chances after the hour mark. Maclaren’s attempt in the 69th minute missed the target, and three minutes later, Manvir’s header from a corner skimmed just wide. Between those efforts, Dimitrios Petratos came close, only for Dempo defender Saiesh Bagkar to make a heroic block, earning visible applause from India national team coach Khalid Jamil and assistant Mahesh Gawli in the stands.
Dempo’s determination showed again in the 78th minute when Mohamed Ali cleared Maclaren’s dangerous cross off the goal line. Meanwhile, Molina cut an increasingly anxious figure on the sidelines, pacing with his hand on his chin. His side could have been punished late when Dempo’s Kapil Hoble went one-on-one with goalkeeper Vishal Kaith in the 87th minute, but the ISL Golden Glove winner preserved Bagan’s clean sheet.
When the final whistle blew, Naik’s all-Indian side had written another proud chapter in Goan football — not through flair, but through grit and discipline. The result kept Dempo unbeaten in the Super Cup and mathematically alive in the race for the semifinals.
With two rounds completed, East Bengal leads Group A on goal difference ahead of Bagan, both level on points. Their Kolkata derby clash on October 31 will likely decide who advances, though Dempo retains a slim chance needing a five-goal victory over Chennaiyin FC in its final group game to stay in contention.
