I-League 2023-24: Rajasthan United strikes twice in injury time to get a point from Shillong Lajong

Rajasthan United FC came from behind to eke out a 4-4 draw against 10-man Shillong Lajong FC in a thrilling I-League match at the SSA Stadium in Lajong on Wednesday.

For Lajong, Kynsaibor Lhuid, Douglas Rosa Tardin, Daniel Goncalves and Phrangki Buam were the scorers. Naoba Meitei, Ragav Gupta, Richardson Kwaku Denzell and Lalchungnunga Chhangte were on target for Rajasthan United FC.

Lajong’s Allen Camper Lyngdoh was shown a red card in the 49th minute.

The draw meant Shillong Lajong is in the sixth spot in the I-League standings with 26 points from 16 matches. Rajasthan United, on the other hand, occupies the ninth spot with 17 points from 16 matches.

It was Rajasthan United which took the lead in the 12th minute when Lajong goalkeeper Bishal Lama came off his line to collect a stray ball but slipped at an unfortunate moment, and the ball went away from him. Naoba Meitei chased the ball and tapped it into the open net.

ALSO READ: ISL 2023-24: FC Goa draws with Mumbai City to climb above Kerala Blasters

However, Lajong came roaring back into the match when it found the equaliser in the 25th minute. Kynsailang Khongsit sent in a cross from the right which was flicked on by Hardy Cliff Nongbri inside the box for an unmarked Lhuid. The forward didn’t make any mistake as he headed home the leveller.

Lajong took the lead for the first time in the match in the added minute of the first half. Marcos Rudwere Genar E Silva laid one for Tardin inside the box before the Brazilian forward was brought down by Rajasthan defender Jefferson de Oliveira. The referee immediately pointed towards the spot, and Tardin stepped up to convert the penalty.

Lajong suffered a setback after the resumption of the game. It was reduced to 10 men in the 49th minute after Lyngdoh was sent off for a foul on Naoba. Making the most of the numerical advantage, Rajasthan United scored the leveller two minutes later. Ragav Gupta powered home a free kick that bounced before Lajong goalkeeper Lama and found the back of the net.

Lajong, however, was not deterred.

It kept fighting and took the lead again in the 80th minute when Nongbri floated in an accurate free-kick into the penalty box. Daniel Goncalves rose to the occasion, connecting with the ball through a well-timed header from close range to put Lajong ahead.

The momentum continued to build for Lajong as it extended its lead five minutes later, thanks to Phrangki Buam. Buam’s shot successfully bypassed the opposition’s defence and goalkeeper to find the back of the net.

With a comfortable two-goal lead and only minutes remaining, it appeared Lajong might secure the victory.

ALSO READ: ISL 2023-24: Odisha FC hosts East Bengal as each point becomes crucial with every game

However, Rajasthan United refused to concede defeat. It was propelled in the added minutes of the match by a brilliant solo goal from Kwaku Denzell. The Ghana forward made a rasping run from his own half and dribbled past four defenders before unleashing a shot. The strike bamboozled every Lajong defender and goalkeeper to give Rajasthan United a ray of hope.

Lajong goalkeeper Lama gifted Rajasthan the equaliser in the dying minutes of the match. Lalchungnunga Chhangte hit a powerful and precise shot from a distance of 25 yards. The ball was travelling straight at Lama, and the goalkeeper should have dealt with it easily. However, in an attempt to neutralise the threat, Lama chose to punch the ball over the net rather than catch it. This decision proved costly as his attempt to clear the danger backfired, leading to the ball bypassing his defences and ending up in the back of the net.