Published: April 24, 2026 at 10:38 pm
Sreenidi Deccan FC edged past Rajasthan United FC 2–1 to secure three crucial points in their opening match of the Championship Stage of the Indian Football League 2025–26 at the Namdhari Stadium in Sri Bhaini Sahib on Friday.
Togolese defender Hadi Idrissou scored the equaliser for the Deccan Warriors in the 92nd minute, and David Castaneda scored the winning goal in the 95th minute of the match. Earlier, Isaac Nortey of the hosts had scored the opening goal.
Head Coach Carlos Vaz Pinto made a single change to his starting eleven, as Lalromawia made his way back after serving his suspension, replacing Lalchungnunga. The Deccan Warriors started the game with the majority of the ball possession and earned an early corner, but the visitors were unable to trouble the opposition keeper.
Sreenidi target 3 points in championship stage opener against Rajasthan FC
It was in the 24th minute of the game that the Deccan Warriors had their first shot on target. Fabrice Kah dribbled past two defenders down the left flank, and the Cameroonian was able to find David with a cutback, but the Colombian forward’s left-footed strike was parried away by the keeper. The rest of the half saw both sides share possession while looking for the opening goal, but the scoreline remained goalless as the teams went into the half-time break.
Sreenidi Deccan’s Hardik Bhatt in action against Rajasthan FC on Friday
Sreenidi Deccan FC had their first clear chance of the second half in the 47th minute, when Hammad’s header from a corner ricocheted off the keeper, and David failed to connect with the rebound. Moments later, it was the hosts who found the back of the net through a direct free-kick effort from Isaac Nortey. Colombian forward David Castaneda had a few more chances in the next quarter of an hour but failed to find the equaliser for the Deccan Warriors.
The Deccan Warriors left it late in added time to secure the three points. It was in the 92nd minute when Hadi Idrissou headed the ball into the back of the net from a long throw-in to equalise. Two minutes later, it was captain David Castaneda who took matters into his own feet from a free-kick and put the ball into the back of the net to secure the three points for the Deccan Warriors.
Sreenidi Deccan FC will now visit Diamond Harbour FC on May 3 in Kolkata.
