Rajasthan United FC deliver a crushing blow to Shillong Lajong’s dwindling I-League title aspirations

The hosts’ triumph was marked by goals from Abhash Thapa (45+2’), Martand Raina (50’), Seiminmang Manchong (54’), and Pranjal Bhumij (76’).

Rajasthan United FC thrashed Shillong Lajong 4-0 in an I-League match at the Vidyadhar Nagar Stadium on Sunday.

The hosts’ win was powered by goals from Abhash Thapa (45+2′), Martand Raina (50′), Seiminmang Manchong (54′), and Pranjal Bhumij (76′).

Lajong entered the match with faint hopes of clinching the title, trailing league leaders Churchill Brothers by eight points. They also needed to recover from a demoralising 1-6 defeat against Churchill in their previous outing.

However, Lajong lacked character in their performance as they were completely outplayed by the Desert Warriors, who retained a mathematical possibility of claiming the league title.

The defeat has further implications for Lajong’s league standing as they are now in seventh place with 26 points from 19 games. This loss significantly hampers their title chances, leaving them reliant on other results to maintain even a theoretical chance at the top spot.

Rajasthan United, on the other hand, returned to winning ways after suffering two consecutive defeats. This victory not only reinstated their confidence but also improved their position in the league table, lifting them to fifth place with 27 points from 19 matches.

The match began tentatively, with both teams exhibiting caution, evidently wary of conceding an early goal. However, as the game progressed, Rajasthan grew into the contest, gradually exerting dominance and beginning to dismantle the Lajong backline with precise and persistent attacks.

Rajasthan’s breakthrough came in the added minute of the first half, with Thapa opening the scoring. Manchong initiated the move by playing a beautiful pass between the Lajong defenders. Thapa timed his run perfectly and slotted the ball past an onrushing Ranit Sarkar to give the hosts the lead.

The Desert Warriors scored their next two goals from set-pieces soon after the second half started. Captain Alain Oyarzun whipped in two corners, and Raina and Manchong rose above theLajong defenders to find the back of the net.

Rajasthan added on toLajong’s misery in the 76th minute when substitute Bhumij held on to a long ball and kept his calm to score past a hapless Sarkar and seal a comprehensive victory for his side.