Goan Giants Dempo SC Clinch I-League Promotion After A 9-Year Hiatus

Former Indian club football powerhouse, Dempo SC, secured their return to the I-League after a nine-year hiatus with a resounding 3-1 victory over Sudeva Delhi FC at their home ground, the Ella Ground, on Saturday. The five-time NFL/I-League champions found themselves trailing midway through the first half when Ramesh Chhetri headed in to give Sudeva Delhi the lead on the final matchday of the 2023-24 I-League 2 contest.

However, Dempo, requiring only a point for promotion, displayed an aggressive approach in the second half and sealed the result with three goals in 21 minutes. Substitute Laximanrao Rane swiftly equalized just two minutes into the second half, followed by Rahul Kumar Paswan's penalty that turned the game around in the 58th minute.

In the 68th minute, Shubham Rawat sealed the victory for Dempo with a powerful right-footed strike. Consequently, Dempo concluded the season in second place with 27 points, four points ahead of Sudeva Delhi. Sudeva Delhi would have earned immediate promotion back to the I-League had they emerged victorious.

Earlier this month, Sporting Club Bengaluru clinched the I-League 2 title and secured promotion to the I-League for the first time. They secured a 1-0 victory over city rivals FC Bengaluru United on the final day, finishing with 33 points after remarkably winning 11 of their 14 games.

On Saturday, the relegation of both Mumbai-based sides, Mumbai Kenkre FC and Maharashtra Oranje FC, was confirmed. The two teams faced each other at COE Kharghar, where Maharashtra Oranje emerged victorious with a 1-0 win. However, despite securing three points, it wasn't enough to save themselves from relegation as United SC secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Sporting Clube de Goa in Vasco.

United SC finished with 15 points, the same as Maharashtra Oranje, but secured their I-League 2 status for another season due to a superior head-to-head record. Mumbai Kenkre finished at the bottom of the eight-team standings with just nine points from 14 games.

Dempo SC boasts an impressive footballing history, having won the National Football League in 2004-05 and 2006-07, the I-League in 2007-08, 2009-10, and 2011-12. Additionally, they have clinched the Federation Cup in 2004, the Indian Super Cup in 2008 and 2010, and the Durand Cup in 2006. Dempo has represented India in the AFC Cup on five occasions (2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, and 2011), reaching the semi-finals in 2008.