Jaipur: Rajasthan United Football Club (RUFC) suffered a 2-4 defeat against Shillong Lajong FC in the Indian Football League Championship Round at a packed SSA Stadium in Shillong. The high-intensity encounter was filled with energy, emotion, and a massive home crowd atmosphere.
Match Highlights
The Desert Warriors started positively despite the pressure from the home supporters. Alan Thapa opened the scoring in the 21st minute to give Rajasthan United FC an early advantage. Shillong Lajong FC responded strongly in front of their passionate fans and managed to take control of the contest.
Second Half Action
In the second half, Gerard Artigas found the back of the net in the 61st minute, keeping Rajasthan United FC in the fight. However, Shillong Lajong FC capitalised on key moments to secure the victory with four goals on the night.
Impact on Standings
The result is a heartbreaking setback for Rajasthan United FC as the team missed the opportunity to move into third position in the standings. However, the squad remains determined and focused with one important game still left in the season.
Coach's Reaction
Assistant coach Vikas Rawat shared his thoughts after the match: "It was a difficult game in a fantastic atmosphere with a huge crowd behind Shillong Lajong FC. We are naturally disappointed with the result because the players fought hard throughout the match. There are positives we can take from this performance, but now our full focus shifts to the final game of the season. We have to recover mentally and finish strongly."
Chairman's Statement
The RUFC chairman KK Tak also reflected on the result and thanked the supporters: "We are disappointed because we wanted a better result for the team and our fans. But we still have one more important match ahead, and we are fully focused on that. Thank you to all our supporters who continue to stand with us throughout the season."
Upcoming Final Match
Rajasthan United FC will now prepare for their final match of the season against Chanmari FC on May 19 at Kalyani Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 6.30 pm IST.
