Samaleswari SC to host Dempo SC in IFL 2026-27 Gameweek 2 at Rourkela on Nov 5

Samaleswari SC will meet Dempo SC at the Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium in Rourkela on Thursday, 5 November 2026 in an Indian Football League 2026-27 Gameweek 2 fixture, kicking off at 18:30 IST.

The match returns IFL action to Odisha as the second matchweek gets under way, with debutants Samaleswari making their first campaign appearance at home and Dempo occupying a joint top spot after the opening round. Samaleswari lost 3-2 to Gokulam Kerala in Gameweek 1, while Dempo secured a late 1-0 victory against Bengaluru United; both clubs are led by Indian coaches, Abdul Azim Siddique for Samaleswari and Samir Naik for Dempo. The hosts will target a first IFL point or win on home soil, and Dempo aim to follow up their opening success with a second consecutive win.

Samaleswari came close to a winning start in Calicut, overturning a 2-0 deficit from the 25th minute to level at 2-2 after Goloui and Jorge Pereyra Diaz converted penalties, before a stoppage-time strike from Crislan ended their hopes and left them beaten 3-2. The side now prepares for its historic home debut in Rourkela, with Diaz — who impressed in the opening match — expected to carry attacking responsibility.

Dempo required injury-time to separate themselves from Bengaluru United in Gameweek 1, with Asonaning Budu scoring the decisive goal after more than 90 minutes and being named Man of the Match. Dempo registered 20 shots in that game but managed only five on target, underlining a high volume of attempts with limited accuracy.

Both clubs reportedly have full squads available apart from an injury concern and will contest their first-ever meeting in the IFL. Projected lineups provided include Aaryan Anjaneya (GK); Issah, Wani, Harijan; Arago, Bhat, Panna, Ishan Pandita, Kartik Choudhary; K Amarjit Singh; Jorge Pereyra Diaz for Samaleswari, and Subhajit Bhattacharjee (GK); Pednekar, Unnikrishnan, Budu; Rane, Oliveira, Borges, Bagkar, Buam; Owusu, De for Dempo.

Kiyam Amarjit Singh, identified in the preview as the Indian U17 team’s captain at the FIFA U17 World Cup, is expected to shoulder midfield duties for Samaleswari alongside captain Basit Bhat and Kartik Choudhary, with a remit to control tempo and create chances. The report also highlights that Borges will be tasked with containing Pereyra Diaz and Amarjit; it describes Borges as a box-to-box threat who can operate as an advanced playmaker, labels him an ISL veteran and credits him with leadership for Dempo’s dressing room.

Dempo and Samaleswari meet on Thursday, 5 November 2026, at 18:30 IST at the Birsa Munda Stadium in Rourkela, Odisha; the match will be televised on DD Sports with live streaming on Waves OTT.