KOLKATA: Diamond Harbour FC (DHFC) have sealed their promotion to the second division of I-League, defeating Keinou Library and Sports Association 2-0 at the Naihati stadium on Wednesday.
Diamond Harbour went on the offensive early on and took the lead through Narohari Shrestha in the 22nd minute and Shaiborlang Kharpan sealed the deal for them, converting a penalty kick in the 85th minute.
With 9 points from 3 matches, a perfect DHFC have emerged the group toppers with a round to spare in the I-League 3 playoffs and gained promotion to I-League 2. The result also helped Kibu Vicuna's team to seal their place in the League 3 play-off final from Group A.
In I-League 3, 10 teams have been divided into two groups of five each, and are being played in a single round-robin format. The top two teams from each group will earn promotion to the 2024-25 I-League 2. The two group winners will contest the final to determine the I-League 3 champions.
In another Group A match, Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC kept their hopes of qualification alive by demolishing Downtown Heroes Football Club 6-0. Karbi and Keinou Library & Sports Association are on 6 points each with a round to go.
Chanmari FC (9 points from 3 matches) and SAT Tirur (7 points from 3 matches) have qualified for I-League 2 from Group B. They will face each other at the Kalyani stadium on Thursday to determine who will face Diamond Harbour FC in the battle for I-League 3 championship.
