Dempo and Chennaiyin Play Out Stalemate in Group Stage Finale

Image Credit: All India Football Federation

Dempo Sports Club and Chennaiyin FC ended their AIFF Super Cup 2025-26 Group A campaigns with a 1-1 draw at GMC Stadium in Bambolim on Friday, October 31, 2025. The result left Dempo third in the group standings with three points, while Chennaiyin remained at the bottom with just one point from their three matches.

Forward Shubham Rawat opened the scoring for Dempo in the 25' with a well struck free kick from the right flank that curled into the top corner. However, Chennaiyin equalized moments later through an unlikely source. Goalkeeper Samik Mitra launched a long clearance from his penalty area that bounced over Dempo's keeper Ashish Sibi to restore parity at 1-1. The match reflected the contrasting objectives of both teams. Dempo sought to chase an unlikely scenario to keep their semi-final chances alive, while Chennaiyin looked to salvage something from a difficult campaign after losing their opening two contests. Chennaiyin FC began the match with intensity, pressing high and creating the first chance when midfielder Kingslee Fernandes sent a long range effort narrowly wide. Dempo gradually gained control through set piece situations, with consecutive free kicks around the 18' and 19' creating problems for Chennaiyin's defence. The opening period saw disciplinary issues emerge, with Chennaiyin's Irfan Yadwad and Dempo's Pruthvesh Pednekar both receiving cautions before the interval. The second half saw Dempo raise their intensity in search of a winning goal, but Chennaiyin managed the tempo effectively through composed possession football involving players like Raj Basfore, Dinpuia, and Kingslee Hnamte.

Chennaiyin nearly broke the deadlock in the 75' when Yadwad directed a Raj Basfore cross towards goal, but his header sailed over the bar. In the closing stages, Klusner Pereira's right flank cross found Yadwad, but his sliding attempt rolled wide. The match finished level at 1-1, marking an entertaining conclusion to a group stage campaign that saw both sides competing till the final whistle.