Call it grit, call it guts — Dempo SC showed both in abundance as they held reigning ISL champions Mohun Bagan SG to a goalless draw under the floodlights at the PJN Stadium on Tuesday night, throwing Group A wide open in the AIFF Super Cup 2025-26.
Despite dominating the ball and piling on the pressure, the Mariners simply couldn’t find a way past a stubborn Dempo backline — or their in-form keeper, Ashish Sibi, who turned shot-stopper into showstopper.
From the get-go, Mohun Bagan looked sharp, controlling possession and swarming forward in their usual attacking waves. But Dempo? They stood tall. Compact, organised, and completely unflustered. It was a textbook defensive performance.
Dempo’s Vinay Harji sent an early warning shot whistling just wide, but it was the Mariners who dictated the tempo. Robson Azevedo turned on the samba flair, twisting past defenders like they weren’t there — but when it came to the finish, Sibi was always in the right spot.
By the 23rd minute, the pattern was set. Abhishek Singh Tekcham swung in a peach of a cross, Robson let fly, but once again, Sibi smothered it. A few minutes later, Jason Cummings got on the end of a Dimi Petratos delivery — same story, same result: Sibi to the rescue.
The game had bite. Not nasty, just tense. Every tackle, every loose ball mattered. Dempo’s counter-threat, led by Vieri Colaco and Saiesh Bagkar, kept Bagan honest at the back. And though they didn’t see much of the ball, the Golden Eagles were no passengers.
After the break, Sahal Abdul Samad and Robson nearly danced their way to a breakthrough, but Sibi’s gloves remained stubbornly sealed. Even Maclaren had his chances — one just wide, one bravely blocked.
At the other end, Dempo almost snatched it late. Arnold Oliveira found Kapil Hoble with a teasing cross, but Vishal Kaith was alert to snuff out the danger.
The final whistle came with frustration etched across Bagan faces. They’d huffed and puffed, but the Goan defence never budged.
So, what now? Well, things get spicy. With East Bengal holding a better goal difference, the October 31 Kolkata Derby is now do-or-die for Mohun Bagan — only a win will do. A draw, and East Bengal march into the semis.
And Dempo? Don’t count them out just yet. Beat bottom-placed Chennaiyin by a big margin and hope the derby ends in a draw — and they might just sneak through.
But tonight belonged to the underdogs. Dempo may not have scored, but they sure as hell made a statement.
