Diamond Harbour FC crowned I-League 3 Champions, 4 Teams gain promotion to I-League 2

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Diamond Harbour FC, hailing from Kolkata, clinched the I-League 3 title on Sunday (October 6). They edged out Chanmari FC with a narrow 1-0 victory, marking a significant milestone for the club.

Achieving this feat in just their third year of existence, Diamond Harbour not only secured their promotion to the I-League 2 but also laid their hands on their first national-level trophy. This historic win underscores the rapid progress the team has made in a relatively short span.

The game's pivotal moment arrived in the 29th minute, courtesy of Ragav Gupta. The midfielder's powerful left-footed shot from outside the penalty box found the back of the net, halting Chanmari FC's impressive eight-game winning streak. Despite the close scoreline, the match was largely dominated by Diamond Harbour FC, who showcased superior tactics and control, thanks to the strategic acumen of coach Kibu Vicuna.

Diamond Harbour's dominance was evident in their ball possession, which stood at an impressive 69 percent throughout the match. This allowed them to maintain pressure on Chanmari FC, consistently breaching their defenses but failing to capitalize on numerous scoring opportunities. Narohari Shrestha, the team's leading striker with eight goals in the tournament, missed a few chances but played a crucial role in setting up Gupta's decisive goal. His keen sense of anticipation and accurate pass enabled Gupta to execute the winning shot, leaving Chanmari FC's goalkeeper Zothanmawia with no chance of saving it.

As the season concluded, four teams confirmed their spots in the 2024-25 I-League 2: Diamond Harbour FC, Chanmari FC, Keinou Library & Sports Association FC, and SAT Tirur. This promotion marks a new chapter for these clubs, promising exciting competitions and opportunities to climb further up the ranks of Indian football.