I-League: Namdhari FC draws 1-1 against Sreenidi Deccan after four-match win streak

I-League leaders Namdhari FC’s four-match winning run came to an end as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Sreenidi Deccan FC at the Namdhari Stadium on Tuesday. 

Both goals came in the first half from two Brazilian strikers, Cledson Carvalho da Silva scored his seventh I-League goal for Namdhari before William Alves equalized at the stroke of half-time for Sreenidi Deccan.

Namdhari remains at the top of the table with 21 points from 11 games, but Churchill Brothers can overtake them should they beat Real Kashmir on Thursday.

Sreenidi Deccan, who have now drawn three of their last four, continue to stay in eighth place with 12 points.

After a cagey start, it took a defensive lapse by Sreenidi Deccan for the hosts to score the opener in the 33rd minute.

It should’ve been a routine back pass to the goalkeeper for Eli Sabiá but a bit of hesitation allowed Cledson Carvalho da Silva to muscle past him and slot the ball past Aryan Lamba.

And it was Brazilian Cledson’s compatriot, William Alves who cancelled out his goal with a well-taken header at the other end in the 45th minute.

The Sreenidi striker got on the end of a cross from the top of the box by Ángel Orelien, who got his fifth assist of the season.

Namdhari goalkeeper Jaspreet had rushed out to punch the cross, but William did well to get to it ahead of him and glance it into the net.

The second half turned into a more cagey affair with less goalmouth action and rough midfield battles with lots of fouls and stoppages.

Rajasthan United and Inter Kashi play out a 1-1 draw

Rajasthan United FC kept their new-found reputation of staying unbeaten in the ongoing I-League 2024-25 campaign intact when they held title aspirants Inter Kashi to a 1-1 draw at the Vidyadhar Nagar Stadium, on Tuesday. 

Rajasthan United, who lost four of their first five matches, including a 0-8 drubbing against Shillong Lajong FC, seem to have suddenly recovered their form and haven’t lost one in seven matches so far.

In a fairly well-attended match, Khangembam Bidyashagar Singh put the visitors ahead in the 31st minute, while defender Martand Raina restored parity during the add-on time of the first half.

While Inter Kashi remains rooted in the third spot with 18 points from 11 matches, Rajasthan United with 16 points from 11 matches is at the sixth position.