I-League: Sreenidi edges past Rajasthan; Lajong stops Dempo for a draw

Sreenidi Deccan ended Rajasthan United FC’s 10-match unbeaten streak with a 2-1 victory in their I-League 2024-25 match at the Vidyadhar Nagar Stadium, on Wednesday.

David Castaneda Munoz (73’) forward netted his 10th goal of the tournament to become the joint second-highest scorer in the league this season. Angel Gabriel Orelien (43’) opened the scoring for the visitors.

Maicol Cabrera (75’) scored the solitary goal for Rajasthan United, who saw their 10-match unbeaten streak broken on Wednesday.

The win though didn’t help much in altering Sreenidi Deccan’s position in the standings. They occupy the ninth spot with 19 points from 15 matches. Rajasthan United are seventh with 21 points from 15 games.

Rajasthan United FC kicked off the match with aggressive intent, opting for a high-press strategy that saw them dominate possession early in the game. The players tried to assert control and set the pace of the game, hoping to unsettle the visitors early on.

Despite their energetic start, Rajasthan United struggled to penetrate Sreenidi Deccan’s defense in the first half. Barring a few attempts from Seiminmang Manchong and Naoba Meitei, there were no significant threats to the Sreenidi Deccan goal.

Sreenidi Deccan, who came to the match on the back of a 0-4 loss against Shillong Lajong, remained undaunted and absorbed the pressure from Rajasthan United before gradually finding their footing in the match.

Spearheading the attacks for the Deccan Warriors were David Castaneda Munoz and Angel Gabriel Orelien. The two forwards initiated cautious forays into their opponent’s half with determination and came close to scoring on several occasions.

The first chance fell to Orelien but his long ranger hit the woodwork. The Panama forward got another chance to break the deadlock but his powerful right-footed shot was saved by Rajasthan United goalkeeper Bhabindra Malla Thakuri.

The Deccan Warriors finally took the lead in the 43rd minute. After receiving a pass at the top of the box, Orelien twisted and turned to go past the Rajasthan United defense before calmly slotting the ball past an onrushing Thakuri with a deft touch.

The second half reflected the first as Sreenidi Deccan and Rajasthan United players were both cagey in venturing out. It was in the 73rd minute when Munoz scored an insurance goal for the visitors.

Hardik Bhatt floated in a cross from the right and Thakuri came off his line to collect the ball. However, the goalkeeper misjudged the flight and Munoz headed home into an open net.

Trailing by two goals, Rajasthan United tried to launch a late comeback and found a goal in the 75th minute. Cabrera climbed high between two Sreenidi Deccan defenders to turn a cross from the right into the back of the net with his head.

The goal gave Rajasthan United a lot of confidence and they went all out in search of an equalizer but Sreenidi Deccan the defense held fort to notch up their fifth win of the campaign.

Brazilian Daniel Goncalves salvages a point for Shillong Lajong

Brazilian Daniel Goncalves struck his second goal of the match deep into the add-on time to help Shillong Lajong FC snatch a 2-2 draw against Dempo Sports Club in the I-League 2024-25 match at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Wednesday.

In a match of fluctuating fortunes, Dempo took the lead in the 39th minute through Marcus Leric Jr. Joseph before Daniel Goncalves restored parity for Lajong two minutes into the second half.

Mohamed Ali regained the lead for Dempo five minutes later, but Goncalves again came to Shillong Lajong’s rescue by breaching the Dempo defense in the 90+7th minute.

Shillong, with 23 points from 15 matches, are placed fifth on the table, whereas Dempo dropped a place to find themselves in the ninth with 19 points from 15 outings.

The match burst into life in the sixth minute when Marcus Leric Jr. Joseph found himself one-on-one with Shillong’s goalkeeper, Ranit Sarkar. A lofted through ball left Joseph with only Sarkar to beat, and the striker unleashed a left-footed shot from the edge of the box. But Sarkar was quick to react and dived to his left to make a fine save.

But Marcus couldn’t be denied a goal in the 39th minute. The goal came after a smooth run down the right wing by Knerkitalang Buam, who delivered a grounded cross into the box. Seigoumang Doungle met the cross with a first-time shot, but Ranit Sarkar pulled off another sharp save.

However, the rebound fell kindly to Marcus, who was left unmarked with an open net waiting for him to score. The striker made no mistake, calmly tapping the ball in to give Dempo the lead.

Shillong returned the compliment in the 47th minute when Goncalves rose the highest inside the rival box to find the target with a powerful header.

Dempo’s captain, Mohamed Ali, turned the game around for his team again in the 52nd minute. A free kick inside the box saw Marcus Joseph take a decisive touch, wrong-footing keeper Ranit Sarkar and forcing a desperate save.

The ball ricocheted off the post, but Mohamed Ali was quick to react and guided the rebound over the line.

Marcus Joseph continued to be a thorn in Shillong’s flesh, and in the 84th minute, he nearly struck again with a moment of brilliance but Ranit Sarkar managed to keep the hopes of Shillong alive. In the 97th minute, Goncalves delivered a dramatic equalizer for Shillong Lajong.

Kenstar Kharshong crossed the ball inside the box for Hardy Cliff Nongbri, who cleverly chested the ball into the path of Goncalves. With composure, the Brazilian tapped the ball into the net..