Jaipur, March 26 (NationPress) In a gripping encounter, Rajasthan United FC managed to secure a 1-1 draw against Diamond Harbour FC during the Star Cement Indian Football League 2025-26 at Vidhyadhar Nagar Stadium on Thursday. The home team took the lead with a penalty converted by Jonathan Feranandes, while R. Ramdinthara equalized for the visitors.

Diamond Harbour retained their second position on the leaderboard with 10 points, closely following Sreenidi Deccan FC, who are also on the same score. Rajasthan United, on the other hand, held the fifth spot with eight points across five matches.

Rajasthan United's head coach, Vikrant Sharma, was forced to make a substitution, bringing in Pragyan Sundar Gogoi to replace the injured Pedro Astray. Meanwhile, Diamond Harbour's Kibu Vicuña made two attacking changes, reinstating Jobby Justin into the lineup in place of Ramdinthara and giving a start to veteran Girik Khosla instead of Mohit Mittal.

Both teams posed early threats in the first ten minutes. Jonathan Fernandes missed an opportunity, firing wide from the edge of the box, while Diamond Harbour's Luka Majcen failed to convert a free header from a precise cross by Jobby Justin.

Chances were scarce as both squads struggled for midfield dominance, with set pieces emerging as the primary source of scoring opportunities in this tightly fought match. The closest moment to a goal came when Jobby's low cross was parried by goalkeeper Bhabindra Malla Thakuri, allowing Antonio Moyano a chance to score, but a timely tackle from Pragyan Gogoi thwarted his efforts.

The first half concluded with neither side managing to score, as both defenses held firm.

Rajasthan United took the lead early in the second half via a penalty, awarded after left-back Robilal Mandi fouled Thomyo Shimray inside the box. Jonathan Fernandes stepped up to confidently convert the penalty past Dheeraj Singh.

Shortly after, Abhishek Ambekar's powerful left-footed shot from outside the box struck the crossbar. At the other end, Jobby Justin's long throw caused chaos, but P.P. Shafeel cleared a shot from Sunday Afolabi off the line.

Rajasthan United faced another setback when substitute Naoba Meitei hit the crossbar with a long-range attempt.

Diamond Harbour's persistence bore fruit eight minutes from the end as they found the equalizer. Moyano delivered a perfectly timed through ball to Ramdinthara, who expertly dribbled into the box and finished from a tight angle past the goalkeeper.

With renewed confidence, Diamond Harbour sought a winner in the dying minutes, coming close multiple times. Substitute Hugo Diaz saw his shot hit the crossbar, and in stoppage time, Moyano's effort was blocked, while William Pauliankhum failed to direct his header on target for Rajasthan United.

Ultimately, both teams settled for a point each in this thrilling match.