I-League: Shillong Lajong lose to Dempo, Rajasthan United steal full points against Namdhari

Former champions Dempo Sports Club clinched their first victory of the 2024-25 I-League season, defeating Shillong Lajong FC 2-0 at the SSA Stadium on Saturday.

In the evening's second match, Rajasthan United FC staged a 3-1 comeback victory over hosts Namdhari FC at the Namdhari Stadium in Sri Bhaini Sahib.

Pruthvesh Pednekar (53rd minute) and Matija Babović (90th minute) were the scorers, securing a vital away win for Dempo. Samir Naik’s men were held to a goalless draw in the first game against Aizawl FC.

Shillong Lajong, on the other hand, faced a setback on their home ground after a spirited comeback in their first match of the season, where they salvaged a draw against Churchill Brothers despite a two-goal deficit. Unfortunately, they could not replicate that resilience in this game.

The match started with both teams cautiously probing each other, and the first significant opportunity fell to Lajong’s Damaitphang Lyngdoh, who unleashed a fierce shot only to see it expertly tipped over the crossbar by Dempo’s alert goalkeeper Ashish Sibi. Lajong continued to create chances, but Daniel Gonçalves squandered a key opportunity to take the lead.

Dempo adopted a defensive strategy similar to their previous match, focusing on maintaining a compact formation that was soaked in Lajong’s attacks. This approach kept them in the game during the first half where genuine scoring opportunities were scarce for both sides. However, Dempo did have a moment just before the half-time whistle when Matija Babović nearly broke through with a grounded shot that was saved by Lajong’s goalkeeper Neithovilie Chalieu.

The second half saw a shift in dynamics as Dempo became more assertive. Their change in approach quickly bore fruit when Pruthvesh Pednekar headed in a corner from Cristián Damián Pérez in the 53rd minute. Although Chalieu managed to get a hand to it, the power and direction of the header were too much to handle, giving Dempo the lead.

Stung by the goal, Lajong’s coach José Hevia made tactical substitutions in an attempt to inject pace and creativity. Sheen Stevenson Sohktung, one of the substitutes, did manage to trouble Dempo’s defence with his quick passes. Despite these efforts, Lajong’s forwards struggled to capitalise, and Dempo’s Sibi continued to thwart their attempts, including a notable save from Phrangki Buam’s potent strike.

As the match neared its conclusion, Dempo confirmed their dominance when Babović spectacularly scored in the 91st minute. From the right side of the field, Babović unleashed a formidable shot that swerved deceivingly, evading Chalieu and smashing into the top right corner of the net and giving the Goan giants an unassailable lead.

Rajasthan United bag full points

After a fairly lacklustre start, Namdhari took the lead fortuitously in the 18th minute of the game via an own goal. A long ball played from the back was volleyed into the Rajasthan net by defender Wayne Vaz as he was put under pressure by Akashdeep Singh in the box.

The goal while fortuitous wasn’t far away from reflecting the run of play, Namdhari utterly dominant and regularly winning the ball in dangerous areas whenever Rajasthan tried to play out from the back. It was constant pressure but a lack of application at the end that let them down.

Akashdeep conjured up a great chance for himself in the 34th minute, twisting and turning at the top of the box, curling an attempt to the far corner with his right. James Kithan in Rajasthan’s goal was up to the task, diving and tipping the ball over the crossbar.

Three minutes later came Rajasthan’s first real chance, an opportunity that again was more due to individual desire than anything else. Having run into the box, Naoba Meitei twisted, faked and left two defenders in his wake before rolling a low dangerous cross across the face of goal. Namdhari’s defence was left flatfooted and a simple tap in was all that was required. There was no one there to provide it.

Rajasthan United won their I-League match against Namdhari.

Rajasthan slowly worked their way back into the game. The half time break did not affect the visitors’ momentum and the renewed desire and speed from the wings brought them just reward soon after when William Neihsial was brought down inside the box by Namdhari defender Manvir Singh. Spanish recruit Alain Oyarzun duly converted the spot kick to draw them level in the 51st minute.

The pendulum had swung in Rajasthan’s favour and yet, Namdhari were not completely devoid of their own chances to wrestle the lead. The best chance fell to Cledson Dasilva, in the 70th minute. The Brazilian made the perfect run and connection from a corner, only to see his glancing header drift inches wide.

Rajasthan made them pay for that miss when Seiminmang Manchong dribbled and outwitted three Namdhari defenders outside the box, before unleashing a low effort at goal in the 73rd minute. The shot, while powerful, wasn’t exactly destined to hit the bottom corner of the net, Jaspreet Singh’s desperate flailing attempt wasn’t enough to end its journey early.

Rajasthan had the lead. Namdhari made things worse for themselves when they had a player sent off with 10 minutes of the game to be played.The cherry came with Vaz’s redemption in the 85th minute of the game when the defender finished Namdhari off, tapping in from close range after Jaspreet had saved Ronny Pena’s header from a well-delivered free kick.