IFL 2025-26: Halicharan Narzary stars as Diamond Harbour beats Chanmari FC to extend lead at top A quickfire second-half brace within two minutes by Halicharan Narzary secured Diamond Harbour FC a 3-1 victory against Chanmari FC in their IFL 2025-26 clash at the Kalyani Stadium in Kolkata on Saturday.
The result ensured Diamond Harbour extended its unbeaten run to seven matches and established a five-point gap at the top of the standings. Chanmari, despite taking an early lead, was unable to hold on.
The match began with Diamond Harbour asserting dominance from the opening whistle. The host created numerous opportunities but was denied by the woodwork and some resolute defending by Chanmari.
Luka Majcen saw his attempt go just above the crossbar, while Robilal Mandi struck the crossbar within the opening seven minutes. A few moments later, Joby Justin saw his header cleared off the goal line by the defender.
Despite registering 13 shots and creating eight chances in the first half, the host could not open the scoring. Chanmari struggled to retain the ball but survived the onslaught to enter the interval goalless.
ALSO READ | Kerala Blasters beats Bengaluru FC, registers first win of ISL 2025-26
The visitor took a shock lead against the run of play in the 48th minute. Following clever footwork from Jota to win a free-kick, the ball was laid off to Marlon, who unleashed a powerful low shot past a diving Dheeraj to make it 1-0.
The host equalised in the 73rd minute when a cross from Halicharan forced an error from Marlon, who turned the ball into his own net to level the score.
Diamond Harbour intensified its pressure, seeing an Antony Moyano free-kick tipped over by the goalkeeper and a header cleared off the line by Jota.
The advantage was finally seized in the 81st minute when Halicharan intercepted a misplaced pass from Papuia to score from a swift counter-attack despite a deflection from Lalruatdika.
Two minutes later, Halicharan struck again, calmly slotting it past the diving goalkeeper to extend the lead. The assist by Tharpuia was brilliant and another clinical finish by the Asamese gave Diamond Harbour a two goal cushion inside two minutes.
Earlier in the day, Dempo SC got the better of Aizawl FC by a 3-0 margin through second-half goals from Marcus Joseph, Jose Luis Moreno, and substitute Sebastián Gutiérrez to secure its second consecutive victory.
Dempo moved ahead of its opponent to fifth in the table with nine points from nine matches, while Aizawl dropped to sixth in the table with the same number of points.
Published on Apr 11, 2026
#IFL #Halicharan #Narzary #stars #Diamond #Harbour #beats #Chanmari #extend #lead #top
A quickfire second-half brace within two minutes by Halicharan Narzary secured Diamond Harbour FC a 3-1 victory against Chanmari FC in their IFL 2025-26 clash at the Kalyani Stadium in Kolkata on Saturday.
The result ensured Diamond Harbour extended its unbeaten run to seven matches and established a five-point gap at the top of the standings. Chanmari, despite taking an early lead, was unable to hold on.
The match began with Diamond Harbour asserting dominance from the opening whistle. The host created numerous opportunities but was denied by the woodwork and some resolute defending by Chanmari.
Luka Majcen saw his attempt go just above the crossbar, while Robilal Mandi struck the crossbar within the opening seven minutes. A few moments later, Joby Justin saw his header cleared off the goal line by the defender.
Despite registering 13 shots and creating eight chances in the first half, the host could not open the scoring. Chanmari struggled to retain the ball but survived the onslaught to enter the interval goalless.
ALSO READ | Kerala Blasters beats Bengaluru FC, registers first win of ISL 2025-26
The visitor took a shock lead against the run of play in the 48th minute. Following clever footwork from Jota to win a free-kick, the ball was laid off to Marlon, who unleashed a powerful low shot past a diving Dheeraj to make it 1-0.
The host equalised in the 73rd minute when a cross from Halicharan forced an error from Marlon, who turned the ball into his own net to level the score.
Diamond Harbour intensified its pressure, seeing an Antony Moyano free-kick tipped over by the goalkeeper and a header cleared off the line by Jota.
The advantage was finally seized in the 81st minute when Halicharan intercepted a misplaced pass from Papuia to score from a swift counter-attack despite a deflection from Lalruatdika.
Two minutes later, Halicharan struck again, calmly slotting it past the diving goalkeeper to extend the lead. The assist by Tharpuia was brilliant and another clinical finish by the Asamese gave Diamond Harbour a two goal cushion inside two minutes.
Earlier in the day, Dempo SC got the better of Aizawl FC by a 3-0 margin through second-half goals from Marcus Joseph, Jose Luis Moreno, and substitute Sebastián Gutiérrez to secure its second consecutive victory.
Dempo moved ahead of its opponent to fifth in the table with nine points from nine matches, while Aizawl dropped to sixth in the table with the same number of points.
Published on Apr 11, 2026
![Ayush Shetty reminded Viktor Axelsen of his younger days: Vimal Kumar Elated with his ward Ayush Shetty becoming the first Indian men’s singles player after Dinesh Khanna (1965) to reach the final of the continental showpiece, former India chief coach Vimal Kumar said a collaborative coaching approach has aided the youngster’s rise.“At the academy, he works under Sagar Chopra, our head coach. What we have done is we have also taken Irwansyah’s [Adi Pratama] help. He has also been helping him in the last two weeks. I think that combination is really working well for Ayush,” he said.“This is something every coach must realise and understand. I don’t want any coach to think that they can handle a player from cradle to grave. That’s not the right way of thinking.ALSO READ | Who is Ayush Shetty, the Indian who beat World No. 1 Vitidsarn at Badminton Asia Championships 2026“So, in the academy, we are trying these things out. I think Ayush is an example. He’s showing the right improvement in that aspect. I would give a lot of credit to both these coaches, Sagar and Irwansyah for Ayush’s success. But again it is just a start. I feel he has a long way to go.”Asked if Ayush currently has the best attack, Vimal said: “I would say Lin Chun-Li has the best attack but Ayush also has an equally better attack. Because he is also like Viktor Axelsen.“When I sent him a couple of years back to Dubai to practise, Viktor messaged me saying that he reminds him of his younger days. So Ayush also learned a lot over there in that two weeks.“Ayush’s attack is something very similar to the attack of Viktor because he is also tall.”Published on Apr 11, 2026 #Ayush #Shetty #reminded #Viktor #Axelsen #younger #days #Vimal #Kumar](https://i2.wp.com/ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/opmooz/article70850888.ece/alternates/LANDSCAPE_1200/Lead%20image%2011.png?ssl=1 "Ayush Shetty reminded Viktor Axelsen of his younger days: Vimal Kumar Elated with his ward Ayush Shetty becoming the first Indian men’s singles player after Dinesh Khanna (1965) to reach the final of the continental showpiece, former India chief coach Vimal Kumar said a collaborative coaching approach has aided the youngster’s rise.“At the academy, he works under Sagar Chopra, our head coach. What we have done is we have also taken Irwansyah’s [Adi Pratama] help. He has also been helping him in the last two weeks. I think that combination is really working well for Ayush,” he said.“This is something every coach must realise and understand. I don’t want any coach to think that they can handle a player from cradle to grave. That’s not the right way of thinking.ALSO READ | Who is Ayush Shetty, the Indian who beat World No. 1 Vitidsarn at Badminton Asia Championships 2026“So, in the academy, we are trying these things out. I think Ayush is an example. He’s showing the right improvement in that aspect. I would give a lot of credit to both these coaches, Sagar and Irwansyah for Ayush’s success. But again it is just a start. I feel he has a long way to go.”Asked if Ayush currently has the best attack, Vimal said: “I would say Lin Chun-Li has the best attack but Ayush also has an equally better attack. Because he is also like Viktor Axelsen.“When I sent him a couple of years back to Dubai to practise, Viktor messaged me saying that he reminds him of his younger days. So Ayush also learned a lot over there in that two weeks.“Ayush’s attack is something very similar to the attack of Viktor because he is also tall.”Published on Apr 11, 2026 #Ayush #Shetty #reminded #Viktor #Axelsen #younger #days #Vimal #Kumar")
Post Comment