Rajasthan United FC dropped precious points in the Indian Football League 2025-26 title race, suffering a 0-1 defeat to Dempo SC in their Championship Phase clash at the Namdhari Football Stadium in Sri Bhaini Sahib on Friday.

Seigoumang Doungel scored the only goal of the match to guide Dempo to all three points.

The result leaves Rajasthan fourth with 17 points from 11 matches, while Dempo is fifth with 13 points from the same number of outings.

Rajasthan dominated large phases of the contest but failed to convert its control into goals, while Dempo delivered a disciplined defensive display and capitalised on a key moment in the second half to secure a crucial victory.

After an evenly contested opening period in terms of chances, despite Rajasthan’s territorial dominance, the game was decided just after the hour mark when Doungel finished off a swift Dempo move with Vieri Colaco surging forward down the right and driving into the box. With multiple defenders drawn towards him and Thakuri guarding the near post, Colaco squared the ball to an unmarked Doungel, who calmly tapped into an empty net.

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Rajasthan pushed hard for an equaliser thereafter but was repeatedly denied by a resolute Dempo backline and an assured performance from goalkeeper Ashish Sibi.

The host came closest to an equaliser in the 79th minute when a defensive lapse from Dempo allowed Gerard Artigas a sight of goal from close range, but Moreno produced a crucial block to deny him.

Rajasthan relied heavily on wide play through Pangambam Naoba Meitei and Pranjal Bhumij, but Dempo appeared well-prepared, dealing comfortably with crosses into the box.

Seven minutes of added time provided a final opportunity for Rajasthan, and it nearly capitalised in the third minute off additional time when Joseph Lalvenhima delivered a dangerous inswinging cross that found Jaideep Singh. His glancing header looked destined to trouble the goal, but Sibi reacted sharply to tip the ball away and preserve Dempo’s lead.

Published on May 01, 2026