I-League 2024-25: Delhi FC Battles to a Draw with Rajasthan United Despite Being Down to 10 Men
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Mahilpur (Punjab), Jan 12 (NationPress) In a remarkable display, a 10-man Delhi FC managed to secure a 1-1 draw against Rajasthan United FC during the I-League 2024-25 clash at the Coach Ali Hassan Stadium in Mahilpur, Punjab on Sunday.
Rajasthan United initially took the lead with a penalty converted by Alain Oyarzun in the 70th minute, but Nigerian Nelson Esor-Bulunwo Okwa equalized with a header in the 83rd minute. This match saw Delhi FC’s Thokchom James Singh receiving a red card in the 68th minute.
Rajasthan United moved up to third place in the standings, accumulating 11 points from eight matches, while Delhi FC remained in seventh with nine points from the same number of games.
The slim two-point margin between the teams heightened the stakes, leading to a cautious start where both sides struggled to create significant chances in the first half.
As the match progressed, Rajasthan United began to find their footing, generating several opportunities, though they failed to convert them. The most glaring miss occurred in the 15th minute when Gerard Artigas intercepted a loose ball and moved in on goal, only to fire his shot over the bar.
The second half started with a similar cautious tone until a critical moment changed the dynamics. In the 68th minute, James Singh received his second yellow card for a foul on Artigas, leading to his dismissal.
This incident appeared to shift momentum towards Rajasthan United. Soon after, in the 70th minute, Artigas was fouled from behind by Dawa Tshering, resulting in a penalty. Oyarzun successfully converted, placing the ball perfectly past goalkeeper Lalmuansanga, who guessed the right direction.
Rajasthan United nearly doubled their advantage ten minutes later with a long-range effort from Artigas, but Lalmuansanga made a pivotal save.
This save proved crucial as Delhi FC, undaunted by their numerical disadvantage, responded in the 83rd minute. Harmanjyot Singh Khabra launched a long pass into the penalty area, which Samir Binong smartly flicked on to Okwa, who was ideally positioned to head the ball into the net, leveling the score.
The tension escalated in the match's closing moments when Delhi FC nearly clinched a victory. Khabra delivered a precise free-kick to Gursimrat Singh Gill at the far post, but Gill narrowly missed converting his header as the match ended 1-1.
