Sreenidi Deccan get past Rajasthan United 2-1 to surge to the second spot in the table

Sreenidi Deccan FC edged past Rajasthan United 2-1 to secure three crucial points in a match which saw both teams reduced to ten men in the Star Cement Indian Football League 2025-26 at the Deccan Arena in Hyderabad on Sunday evening.

Brandon Vanlalremdika and Lalthankhuma scored for the home side, while Issac Nortey found the net for Rajasthan United. P P Shafeel was shown a straight red card in the 48th minute, while Lalromawia was sent off after receiving two yellow cards.

Deccan Warriors eye win against Rajasthan United, look to move up in table in the IFL

Sreenidi Deccan occupies the second spot temporarily with 15 points from eight matches, while Rajasthan United are in fourth place with 14 points from the same number of matches.

Sreenidi Deccan head coach Carlos Vaz Pinto made two changes in the defence, bringing in Muhammad Hammad and Abhash Thapa in place of Deepak D P and Paulo Dos Santos. Meanwhile, Rajasthan United head coach Vikrant Sharma made six changes to his lineup, handing starts to Issac Nortey, William Pauliankhum, Novin Gurung, Akashdeep Singh, KiataluaTadeu Emous, and Gerard Artigas.

Sreenidi looked sharper on the field

The home side looked the sharper of the two in the early exchanges, with Rajasthan United appearing a bit unorganised following the numerous changes to their usual lineup. Brandon Vanlalremdika was particularly lively in midfield and had an early effort from distance blocked after being afforded too much space.

The Rajasthan defence repeated the same mistake soon after, once again allowing Brandon time on the ball in midfield, and he made them pay in the 17th minute. Driving forward after receiving possession, he unleashed a thunderous strike from distance that flew past the goalkeeper, who was left rooted to the spot.

Sreenidi Deccan FC’s David Castaneda in action against Rajasthan United FC during their Indian Football League match at the Deccan Arena in Hyderabad on Sunday

The visitors responded well after going behind, asserting themselves in the opposition half and putting the defence under sustained pressure. Thomyo Shimray beat his marker for pace down the left flank and delivered a dangerous low cross, which was cleared by Muhammad Hammad with a crucial last-ditch intervention.

The visitors’ best chance of the first half came midway through the period. Thomyo Shimray, who was lively on the wing, delivered an excellent cross on a plate for Gerard Artigas. The Spaniard, left unmarked inside the box, attempted to guide a side-footed finish past the goalkeeper but scuffed his effort, sending it wide of the target.

Rajasthan continued to apply pressure, while the home side remained content to sit back, defend their lead, and look to hit on the counter. Sreenidi Deccan held firm at the back, protecting their box well and denying the opposition any further clear chances as they carried their slender one-goal advantage into the break.

Rajasthan United were reduced to ten men just three minutes after the restart. Defender Shafeel, in an attempt to win an aerial duel, swung his arm into the head of Lalromawia, leaving the referee with no option but to issue a straight red card.

Nortey finds the equaliser for Rajasthan

Despite being a man down, the visitors created the clearer chances and looked particularly dangerous from set pieces. Issac Nortey and Akashdeep Singh both struck the post after getting on the end of corner deliveries, with the former also failing to hit the target from close range.

The sustained pressure eventually paid off just before the 75th minute, as Rajasthan found the equaliser from a set piece. Issac Nortey rose above his marker to power a header from Jonathan Fernandes’ corner past the goalkeeper.

Lalthankhuma wins it for Sreenidi

Parity in numbers was restored soon after the goal as Sreenidi Deccan were also reduced to ten men, with Lalromawia sent off after receiving his second booking of the game. However, this seemed to favour the home side, who looked more threatening in attack once both teams were level in numbers.

They took the lead seven minutes from time with another effort from distance. Lalthankhuma received the ball at the edge of the box and, with minimal backlift, unleashed a powerful strike that beat goalkeeper Bhabindra Malla Thakuri and found the back of the net.

The second goal proved decisive, as the home side secured their fourth win of the season and confirmed their place in the top six ahead of the second round of matches.