Sreenidi Deccan beat Rajasthan United 2-1 in Indian Football League clash
Sreenidi Deccan FC defeated Rajasthan United 2-1 in the Star Cement Indian Football League at Deccan Arena. Brandon Vanlalremdika and Lalthankhuma scored for the hosts, while Issac Nortey netted for Rajasthan. Both teams finished with 10 men
Hyderabad: Sreenidi Deccan FC edged past Rajasthan United 2-1 to secure three crucial points in a match which saw both teams reduced to 10 men in the Star Cement Indian Football League 2025-26 at the Deccan Arena here on Sunday.
Brandon Vanlalremdika and Lalthankhuma scored for the home side, while Issac Nortey found the net for Rajasthan United. PP Shafeel was shown a straight red card in the 48th minute, while Lalromawia was sent off after receiving two yellow cards.
Sreenidi Deccan occupy the second spot temporarily with 15 points from eight matches, while Rajasthan United are below them in third place with 14 points.
Sreenidi Deccan head coach Carlos Vaz Pinto made two changes in defence, bringing in Muhammad Hammad and Abhash Thapa in place of Deepak DP and Paulo dos Santos. Meanwhile, Rajasthan United head coach Vikrant Sharma made six changes to his line-up, handing starts to Issac Nortey, William Pauliankhum, Novin Gurung, Akashdeep Singh, Kiatalua Tadeu Emous and Gerard Artigas.
The home side looked sharper in the early exchanges, with Rajasthan United appearing a bit unorganised following the numerous changes to their usual line-up. Brandon Vanlalremdika was 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.
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 intervention.
Rajasthan United were reduced to ten men just three minutes after the restart. Defender Shafeel PP, 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.
The sustained pressure eventually paid off just before the 75th minute, as the Desert Warriors found the equaliser from a set piece. Issac Nortey rose above his marker to power a header from Jonathan Fernandes’ corner past the goalkeeper.
Parity in numbers was restored soon after as Sreenidi Deccan were also reduced to ten men, with Lalromawia sent off after receiving his second booking. However, this seemed to favour the home side, who looked more threatening in attack once both teams were level.
The Deccan Warriors took the lead seven minutes from time with another effort from distance. Lalthankhuma received the ball at the edge of the box and unleashed a powerful strike that beat goalkeeper Bhabindra Malla Thakuri.
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.
