Jaipur, Mar 26 (PTI) Rajasthan United FC held Diamond Harbour FC to a hard-fought 1-1 draw in the Indian Football League here on Thursday.
Jonathan Feranandes (51′) gave the home side the lead through a penalty and R. Ramdinthara (82′) equalised for the visitors.
Diamond Harbour remained in second place in the table with 10 points, below Sreenidi Deccan FC who also have the same tally. Rajasthan United remained in fifth place with eight points from five matches.
Both sides threatened early within the opening 10 minutes. Jonathan Fernandes fired wide from the edge of the box for Rajasthan United, while at the other end, Luka Majcen failed to hit the target with a free header after being picked out by a pinpoint cross from Jobby Justin.
Chances were few and far between as both sides struggled to assert control in midfield, with set pieces once again proving to be the source of attacking opportunities in the tightly contested encounter.
The closest either team came to breaking the deadlock was when Jobby drilled in a low cross from the right, which goalkeeper Bhabindra Malla Thakuri could only parry into a dangerous area.
The loose ball fell to Antonio Moyano, who seemed certain to score, but a last-ditch tackle from Pragyan Gogoi denied him at the crucial moment.
The home side took the lead early in the second half from the penalty spot. Left back Robilal Mandi was beaten for pace by Thomyo Shimray and brought him down inside the box, conceding the spot-kick. Jonathan Fernandes stepped up and expertly converted past Dheeraj Singh.
Diamond Harbour’s persistence paid off eight minutes from time as they found the equaliser. Moyano slipped a perfectly timed through ball into the path of Ramdinthara, and the substitute who timed his run to perfection, dribbled into the box before finishing from a tight angle past the goalkeeper.
Shillong Lajong cruise past Gokulam ======================== In the day’s other match, goals in each half from Everbrightson Sana Mylliempdah (36′) and Tremiki Lamurong (65′) guided Shillong Lajong FC to a comfortable 2-0 win over Gokulam Kerala FC at the Payyanad Stadium in Manjeri, Goa.
With this victory, Shillong Lajong moved into the top three with 10 points, level on points and goal difference with Sreenidi Deccan FC and Diamond Harbour FC, while The Malabarians slipped to eighth with five points from as many matches.
Tremiki Lamurong was named the Player of the Match. PTI AH BS BS AH
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