Kolkata, Feb 27(.) Sreenidi Deccan FC and I-League 2 champions Diamond Harbour FC will kick off their Indian Football League 2025-26 campaigns at the Kalyani Stadium on Saturday, February 28, 2026. The match is scheduled to kick off at 18:30 IST.
Diamond Harbour FC will be making their Indian Football League debut after earning promotion as I-League 2 champions, while Sreenidi Deccan FC enter their fifth consecutive season in the country’s second-tier competition.
All matches of the Indian Football League will be telecast live ion DD Sports and streamed on Waves App.
The home side will be led by experienced coach Kibu Vicuña, who is in his third consecutive season with the club and has assembled a strong side which was the surprise package of the Durand Cup 2025, going all the way to the semi-finals where they went down 1-2 to East Bengal FC. Vicuña also has the experience of winning I-League 2019-20 in his maiden season in India with Mohun Bagan.
Speaking ahead of their debut match in the IFL,Vicuña said, “We are happy that the league is finally starting. We have been preparing for this for a long time and are prepared to give our 100 per cent. It is a short season and there will be less margin for error for all the teams. So, every match will be crucial for us.
“They (Sreenidi Deccan) are one of the best teams in the competition, with a strong budget and experienced players. They have quality foreign players and experienced Indian players who have played in both I-League and ISL. It will be a tough game,” said Vicuña who has previously coached ISL sides like Kerala Blasters and Mohammedan SC, while talking about the opposition.
Diamond Harbour will be led from the front by talismanic striker Luka Majcen, who has previously won the I-League with Gokulam Kerala FC and Punjab FC, finishing as the league’s leading scorer during his title-winning campaign with the latter. He brings experience of playing in the ISL as well. He will be ably supported by former India internationals Jobby Justin and Halicharan Narzary.
Majcen said, “It could be the toughest season because in a short format you cannot afford many mistakes. We must stay focused from the first match until the last game. We have been preparing for six months. In the end, it’s a normal match. But mentally, because it’s the first game, it feels very important. That part is in your head.”
Sreenidi Deccan have reappointed Carlos Vaz Pinto ahead of the new season following his return from Portuguese second-tier side Clube Desportivo de Mafra. The Hyderabad-based outfit have retained the core of the squad that finished ninth last season and will be aiming to put in a stronger showing in the upcoming campaign.
Speaking ahead of their first match of the season, Carlos Vaz Pinto said, “Our preparation was good. We know it was a difficult period for Indian football and the break was long, but we started at a good time to prepare the team for the season. The atmosphere around the team is very positive. However, we expect a tough and competitive league. The format is different this season and many teams have strong squads and experienced coaches. Several clubs will aim for promotion to the ISL, so I believe the league will be very competitive.”
Sreenidi Deccan will rely on the experience of players such as David Castañeda, I-League winner with Punjab FC Brandon Vanlalremdika, Bhaskar Roy and Muhammad Hammad, who won the Jarnail Singh Award for Best Defender in the 2023-24 I-League seasonwhile also drawing on the youthful energy of emerging talents like Rashid CK, C Lalchungnunga, and R Lalbiakliana.
Sreenidi striker and captain David Castañeda said, “This is my fifth year with the club, and I believe we have a very strong squad this seasonboth Indian and foreign players who are professional and good human beings. The atmosphere is positive, and I hope we can compete strongly in every game this season.
“We want the city and state to feel proud of how we represent Telangana football. Telangana has strong football history, and Hyderabad has done very well in recent years in the ISL. Now we are the only professional football team in the state, and that’s a big responsibility. We promise to compete in every game. Our focus is game by game,” said the Colombian.
With both sides eager to set the tone in a fiercely competitive campaign, Saturday’s clash promises to be an early indicator of intent. Hosts Diamond Harbour FC will be keen to make a strong first impression in front of their home supporters, while Sreenidi Deccan FC will look to draw on their experience in what is expected to be a closely-fought contest.
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