Samaleswari SC Set for Historic Home Debut Against Goan Giants Dempo SC
Samaleswari SC prepares for a historic home debut against Goan giants Dempo SC in the IFL 2026-27 season at Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium.
The excitement is reaching a fever pitch in Odisha as Samaleswari SC home debut marks a milestone for football in the region. The debutants are all set to clash with Goan heavyweights Dempo SC in the Indian Football League (IFL) 2026-27 season on Thursday, November 5, at the Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium in Rourkela.
A Promising Start for the Debutants
Though they are new to the league, Samaleswari SC has already proven they can go toe-to-toe with the best. In their opening encounter in Kozhikode, they pushed former I-League champions Gokulam Kerala FC to the absolute limit. The match ended in a narrow 2-3 defeat, with the deciding goal conceded in the seventh minute of injury time.
Despite the loss, several players stood out. Argentine forward Pereyra Diaz was a constant menace to the Gokulam Kerala defense, showcasing sharp efforts before eventually converting a late penalty. On the wing, Sahil Harijan provided a persistent spark, utilizing his driving runs down the left flank to create numerous opportunities.
Empowering Odisha's Local Talent
Head coach Abdul Azim Siddique believes that bringing the IFL to Rourkela is a game-changer for the state's sporting landscape. He emphasized that local talent in Odisha previously lacked a professional platform and often had to migrate to cities like Kolkata to pursue their dreams.
Under the vision of chairperson Jayanarayan Mishra, the club has made a concerted effort to integrate local players. The current squad includes:
- 10 players from Odisha, including five graduates from the Maa Samaleswari Sports Academy in Sambalpur.
- Local talents such as Vicky Oram, Roshan Panna, Samir Murmu, and Sahil Harijan.
- A blend of experience featuring 14 players with Indian national team experience at various levels.
- Five foreign recruits, two of whom have represented their respective national teams.
Coach Siddique noted that the home-and-away format is the most effective way to grow the sport, stating that seeing professional football live in a stadium will inspire the next generation of Odia players to aim for the national team.
A Call to the Fans
Kiyam Amarjit Singh, the Samaleswari SC midfielder and former India U-17 FIFA World Cup captain, has urged the local community to turn out in large numbers. He highlighted that seeing local Odia players compete alongside international signings from Ghana and Argentina will help build a robust sporting culture in Rourkela and Sambalpur.
Dempo SC: The Golden Eagles Arrive
Standing in the way of a perfect home debut is a confident Dempo SC side. The Goan outfit enters the match following a dramatic 1-0 victory over FC Bengaluru United in Fatorda. The "Golden Eagles" dominated possession for much of their opening game but had to wait until the eighth minute of stoppage time for Ghanaian defender Uzziel Yaw Asomaning Budu to head home the winner.
Dempo's strength lies in their defensive organization and the creativity of Bagkar on the left flank, while goalkeeper Bhattacharjee's crucial interventions ensured they kept a clean sheet in their first outing.
Dempo head coach Samir Naik expressed satisfaction with his team's organization and possession but is keen on making his side more clinical in front of goal as they prepare to face a resilient Samaleswari SC side in Odisha.