Diamond Harbor beats Rajasthan United, inch closer to Indian Football League title

Diamond Harbor FC took a big step towards clinching the title after registering a 5-2 comeback win against Rajasthan United FC in their Indian Football League 2025-26 Championship Phase match at the Kalyani Stadium in Kalyani on Friday.

Rajasthan raced into a two-goal lead through a Gerard Artigas brace before a defensive collapse that saw them concede five goals. Hugo Díaz Rodríguez and Kevin Ademola scored two each, while Wahengbam Angousana Luwang also found the net for Calcutta.

The result extends Diamond Harbor’s lead at the top to 28 points from 12 games. Rajasthan remain fourth with 17 points and are officially eliminated from the title race.

Despite early pressure from Diamond Harbour, Rajasthan struck first in the fifth minute. Artigas drove into the penalty area from the left before putting the ball past Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem into the far corner.

The hosts continued to dominate possession and territory after conceding. However, Diamond Harbour’s intense pressing seemed to take its toll in the humid conditions at the Kalyani Stadium, allowing Rajasthan to find more space in the final third, especially from the flanks.

The visitor doubled the lead in the 27th minute as Artigas completed his brace in style. Pranjal Bhumij found the Spaniard outside the box and with Melroy failing to close him down, Artigas unleashed a powerful strike from distance that beat Dheeraj despite the goalkeeper taking a touch.

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The hosts pulled one back in the 41st minute. Díaz crossed towards Justin at the far post, and despite the pressure, Justin headed the ball across the goal for Ademola to nod home from close range.

Four minutes were added at the end of the half and Diamond Harbor equalized in stoppage time. Narzary beat Novin Gurung on the left before sending a teasing cross towards the far post. Malla failed to collect cleanly, allowing Díaz to run the ball into the empty net in the second minute of extra time.

Diamond Harbor resumed the second half on the front foot. The hosts completed the comeback in the 53rd minute through Ademola’s second goal of the evening. Justin drove into the penalty area from the right before hitting the ball back towards Ademola, who managed to apply the finishing touch despite pressure from Abdul.

Diamond Harbor continued to dominate the match, nearly adding a fourth three minutes later. A floating cross found Justin at the far post, but Malla produced an excellent fingertip save from point-blank range to deny the attacker.

The hosts finally put the match beyond doubt in the 88th minute, amid a complete collapse of the Rajasthan defence. Angousana delivered an inswinging corner that somehow traveled through a crowd of Rajasthan players and crept into the net, with Malla unable to react in time.

Two minutes later, Diamond Harbor struck again to tie the score at five. Bryce Brian Miranda broke into the penalty area from the left before picking out an unmarked Díaz at the far post with an accurate cutback. The Spaniard made no mistake and scored the finish for the first time.

Published on May 8, 2026