IFL 2025-26: Soukouna’s late strike sets up dramatic 3-2 win for Rajasthan United over Namdhari

A late goal from Amadou Soukouna in stoppage time saw Rajasthan United FC edge past Namdhari Sports Academy 3-2 in a thrilling I-League 2025-26 encounter at the Vidhyadhar Nagar Stadium in Jaipur on Friday.

Soukouna gave the home side the lead in the 13th minute before Pedro Astray doubled the lead in the 57th. Namdhari made a late comeback in the last ten minutes to level the scores through goals from Manvir Singh and Najib Ibrahim. More info: tsn4. However, Soukouna struck again in the sixth minute of stoppage time to ensure Rajasthan United’s first win of the season.

The home side climbed to fourth place with as many points from three matches, while Namdhari remains ninth with two points from three matches.

Rajasthan United head coach Vikrant Sharma has made five changes for his first home match of the season, bringing in Gautam Virwani, Thomyo L. Shimray, Joseph Lalvenhina, Jonathan Reis and Abdul Samed Ango.

Meanwhile, Namdhari head coach Harpreet Singh made just one change to his starting XI, with striker Abdoulaye Diallo replacing midfielder Adersh Mattummal.

Namdhari struggled early on and the home side managed to take the lead. Soukouna chased a long ball and put pressure on centre-back Gurshan Singh. The defender’s attempt lacked conviction and Soukouna reacted quickly by poking the ball past goalkeeper Niraj Kumar from close range.

The home side continued to pile on the pressure, with Astray hitting the post with a thumping left-footed shot and right-back Shafeel PP forcing a fingertip save from the goalkeeper with another long-range effort.

Namdhari gradually found his footing and started to gain more possession, creating better openings, especially from set pieces. Ibrahim failed to cope with a knockdown from Moro after a free kick from Kamalpreet Singh. Moments later, Moro again rose highest to guide a header from a corner to the other end, but it was cleared off the line to preserve Rajasthan’s lead.

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Rajasthan captain and goalkeeper Bhabindra Malla Thakuri was called into action a few times in the first half. He first took a direct free-kick away from Seilenthang Lotjem and moments later produced a fine diving save to deny his opponent Jaskaranpreet Singh’s right foot from the edge of the penalty area.

Niraj produced a brilliant save early in the second half to deny Astray’s powerful free-kick. The home team, lively from the start of the second half, put Namdhari’s defense under pressure and doubled their lead twelve minutes after the restart.

Reis forced a save from the goalkeeper with a curling effort from the edge of the penalty area. The rebound fell kindly to Astray, who was free in the area, and the Spaniard showed great composure to slot the ball home for his second goal of the season.

Namdhari were reduced to ten men when Moro was sent off after receiving two yellow cards in as many minutes. The Ghanaian defender was first shown a yellow card for a foul on Naoba Meitei and, still unhappy with the decision, showed his dissent to the referee, who had little choice but to show a yellow card for a second time, forcing Namdhari to play the remainder of the match with 10 men.

The visitor halved the deficit seven minutes before the end through Manvir Singh. The attacker managed to avoid the offside trap, grabbed a deflected cross from midfield and calmly pushed the ball past the oncoming goalkeeper.

Seven minutes later, Namdhari leveled the score in dramatic fashion. Jaskaranpreet Singh made a nice run down the right wing and delivered a low cross across the six-yard box, which evaded the goalkeeper’s outstretched hands. Ibrahim arrived ahead of two defenders and finished expertly.

As the match seemed to be heading for a draw, Rajasthan United created one last chance that proved decisive in stoppage time. A long ball into the penalty area was met by defender Gursimrat Singh, who headed the ball into Soukouna’s path. The French striker rose above his marker and planted a powerful header into the net, sparking celebrations among the home crowd.

Aizawl keeps Real Kashmir at 2-2

Real Kashmir FC and Aizawl FC shared the win in a dramatic 2-2 draw in the Indian Football League 2025-26 at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium on Friday.

Real Kashmir took the lead twice in both halves through Shedrack Charles and Ahteeb Ahmad Dar, but Aizawl responded on both occasions through Zomuansanga and Lalhriatpuia to earn a point in a closely fought match.

Aizawl climbed to the top of the rankings with five points, while Real Kashmir are ninth with two points.

Real Kashmir head coach Ishfaq Ahmed made four changes to his starting XI from the previous outing, bringing in Furkan Ahmad Dar in goal along with Ahteeb Ahmad Dar, Basit Ahmed Bhat and Mashoor Shereef.

Aizawl head coach R Lalruatfela, meanwhile, retained the same starting XI from the opening match.

Published on March 13, 2026