Kalyani : Two well-taken first half goals by Brandon Vanlalremdika and David Castañeda ensured Sreenidi Deccan FC secure three points against league leaders Diamond Harbour FC in Star Cement Indian Football League 2025-26 at the Kalyani Stadium in Kalyani, on Sunday, May 3, 2026.
The Deccan Warriors took the lead in the 44th minute through a brilliant free-kick by Brandon Vanlalremdika and doubled the lead in added time of the first half through David Castañeda. Hugo Díaz reduced the deficit in the second half with a penalty conversion.
With the crucial win, Sreenidi Deccan took their points tally to 21 and are third, while Diamond Harbour remain top with 25 points. Brandon Vanlalremdika was adjudged player of the match.
Diamond Harbour were reduced to ten men within the opening 45 seconds after Sunday Afolabi was shown a straight red card for a dangerous challenge on Sreenidi Deccan midfielder Ajay Chhetri. Contesting a 50-50 ball, the Nigerian midfielder caught Ajay high on the ankle with his boot, leaving the referee with little option but to send him off.
Despite being reduced to ten men, Diamond Harbour dominated possession and continued to look threatening in attack. Ramdinthara tested Kamaljit Singh with a powerful left-footed effort, but the shot was straight at the goalkeeper. Moments later, Mikel Kortazar drilled in a low cross at the end of a set-piece routine, but it was deflected away before it could reach Jobby Justin.
The home side created the best chance of the half just before the drinks break. Jobby shrugged off his marker to create space inside the box from a cross on the right wing, and the ball fell kindly for Hugo Díaz, whose effort was brilliantly saved by Kamaljit Singh with the 31-year-old goalkeeper showing sharp reflexes to push the shot over the crossbar.
Sreenidi Deccan, who had struggled to create chances for most of the half, needed a moment of brilliance just before the break to take the lead. Brandon Vanlalremdika, who had won the free-kick after being brought down by Kortazar, stepped up and curled a superb effort into the top-right corner beyond the diving reach of Dheeraj Singh.
The Deccan Warriors doubled their advantage in first-half stoppage time through David Castañeda. The Colombian drove forward with the ball into the box and, with the defenders backing off, unleashed a powerful strike that flew past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
Diamond Harbour began the second half on the front foot as they looked to cut down the two-goal deficit. They were handed a lifeline at the hour mark when a penalty was awarded after Hadi Idrissou handled the ball inside the box. Hugo Díaz stepped up to take the penalty and converted with a powerful strike past Kamaljit Singh.
Kibu Vicuña responded immediately after the goal with a triple substitution, introducing Bryce Miranda, Paul Ramfangzauva and Kevin Ademola to add fresh energy in attack. The changes had an instant impact as Antonio Moyano combined well with Bryce and Ademola, with the latter unable to keep his header down from Bryce’s cross.
The Deccan Warriors opted to sit deep inside their own half in the final quarter of the game, inviting pressure as Diamond Harbour increased their attacking intent in search of an equaliser. This time, the numerical disadvantage became evident, with the home side often looking a man short in attacking areas despite pushing numbers forward.
Jobby came close with a header, but the striker directed his effort wide of the post, while substitute Lalliansanga Renthlei saw his long-range strike whistle narrowly past the target. Bryce Miranda, who looked lively down the left flank after coming on, delivered a wonderful cross for Ademola in the final minute of regulation time, but the Colombian’s effort was palmed away by Kamaljit Singh.
Diamond Harbour continued to pump crosses and long balls into the box, but Sreenidi Deccan defended resolutely throughout the closing stages. Kamaljit Singh also commanded his area well, frequently coming off his line to claim crosses and ease the pressure on his defence. In the end, the Deccan Warriors held on to secure three crucial points and close the gap on the league leaders.
Brief Scorecard –
Diamond Harbour FC – 1 (Hugo Díaz 62’ p)
Sreenidi Deccan FC – 2 (Brandon Vanlalremdika 44’, David Castañeda 49’+5).
