AIFF Media Desk
Goa/Srinagar, Wednesday, April 1, 2026: Real Kashmir FC and Dempo SC will hope to secure their first first victories of the season as they host Diamond Harbour FC and Namdhari SC, respectively, in the Star Cement Indian Football League 2025–26 on Thursday, April 2, 2026.
In the early kick-off Real Kashmir FC will be up against Diamond Harbour FC, looking to reclaim their top spot in the table at the TRC Stadium in Srinagar. The match will kick-off at 16:00 IST.
In the second match of the day, winless Dempo SC will also chase for their first win as they host Namdhari SC at the PJN Stadium in Goa with the kick-off scheduled for 16:00 IST. The match will have a deferred broadcast at 18:30 IST.
Both matches will be broadcast live on DD Sports and Sony Sports Network, and streamed on Waves and Sony LIV.
Real Kashmir FC vs Diamond Harbour FC
Diamond Harbour can on top of the congested table with a win as they face Real Kashmir who are yet to win a game in the season. The Snow Leopards who are typically a tough team to beat at their home turf, will look to trouble the in-form side from West Bengal and secure their first win of the season.
Head coach Ishfaq Ahmed believes playing to their strengths will be key. “Diamond Harbour are a strong side. But if we play to our strengths, we can definitely get a result,” Ahmed noted. “It’s still early in the league and if we win a match the situation changes completely.”
Midfielder Kamal Issah emphasized the importance of the home crowd at the TRC Stadium. “Everything is going well in the camp. The preparation has been excellent and we need our fans to come in numbers and support us,” Issah stated. The side will focus on maintaining defensive discipline to contain the visitors.
Diamond Harbour FC arrive in Srinagar following a 1-1 draw against Rajasthan United FC. The result kept them in second place with 10 points, and a victory tomorrow could return them to the top of the table.
The travel and environment present a test for the visitors. “It is challenging for us to travel from Kolkata. The weather in Kashmir is different,” defender Naresh Singh remarked. “I believe we will get the three points if we play to our potential.”
Head coach Kibu Vicuña noted the tactical readiness of his team while acknowledging the hosts’ home record. “The team is well settled tactically. But every game is difficult in this league,” Vicuña stated. “Historically, Real Kashmir are dominant at home. We are looking forward to the challenge tomorrow.”
Dempo SC vs Namdhari SC
Dempo SC return to their home turf aiming to improve their standing. The Goan side sits at the bottom of the table with two points following a 1-3 defeat to Sreenidi Deccan FC in Hyderabad.
Despite the results, head coach Samir Naik noted an optimistic atmosphere. “There is a lot of positivity in the team in spite of the results not going in our favour on multiple occasions,” Naik stated. “I am certain there will be a different Dempo side arriving tomorrow.”
Defender Saiesh Bagkar mirrored this sentiment, noting the squad’s focus. “The mood in the dressing room remains positive. The team is fully focused on the next match and motivated to come back strong,” Bagkar said. Under Naik, the squad prioritizes translating chance creation into goals, with Marcus Joseph a central figure in the attack.
Namdhari SC travel to Madgaon after securing their first win of the season, a 1-0 victory over Real Kashmir FC. This result moved them to sixth place with six points. Seilenthang Lotjem scored the goal in the 61st minute. Head coach Harpreet Singh relies on a structured approach and defensive resilience, which was highlighted by goalkeeper Niraj Kumar’s Player of the Match performance in their previous match.
In two previous meetings between these teams, Dempo recorded one victory while the other match ended in a draw. Dempo have scored three goals compared to two by Namdhari. Their last encounter on February 13, 2025, resulted in a 2-2 draw in Margao.
With Real Kashmir and Dempo SC both eager to end their winless runs on home soil, and Diamond Harbour striving to return to the top of the standings, Thursday’s fixtures carry importance for the bottom-half strugglers and the title contenders alike.
(IFL/I-League Media)
