IMAGE: Action from the Indian Football League match between Rajasthan United ease and Chanmari FC in Jaipur on Wednesday. Photograph: IFL

Sreenidi Deccan FC and Shillong Lajong FC played out a goalless draw in a top of the table clash of the Indian Football League (IFL) 2025-26 at the Deccan Arena in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

Key Points

• Sreenidi moved to the top with 11 points, Shillong and Rajasthan United level on points in 2nd spot.
• Rajasthan United beat Chanmari FC 2-0 to temporarily claim top spot.
• Naoba Meitei scored soon after coming on as a substitute to break the deadlock.

The two teams came into the match level on points, and the contest lived up to expectations with a tactical battle where both defences held firm and goalkeepers stood out with crucial saves.

Sreenidi Deccan FC moved to the top of the table with 11 points, while Shillong Lajong sit just behind them, level on points alongside Rajasthan United FC.

Sreenidi goalkeeper Kamaljit Singh was adjudged as the player of the match.

Sreenidi Deccan head coach Carlos Vaz Pinto made two changes to his starting XI, bringing in Rolieny Nonato Luis Bonevacia and Brandon Vanlalremdika in midfield, while Shillong Lajong head coach Birendra Thapa retained the same lineup from their previous outing.

The hosts enjoyed more possession in the opening exchanges, probing for openings, but Shillong's defence remained compact.

The first major chance came in the 11th minute when Sreenidi captain David Castaneda tested Siwel Rymbai from distance, but the goalkeeper produced a crucial save.

Shillong gradually grew into the game and looked dangerous on the counter.

Everbrightson Sana Mylliempdah came close on multiple occasions, while Phrangki Buam nearly broke the deadlock in stoppage time of the first half with a long-range free-kick that forced a brilliant diving save from Kamaljit Singh.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Sreenidi controlling possession and Shillong relying on quick transitions.

Castaneda had another opportunity just before the hour mark but failed to hit the target, while substitute Paulo Cezar was denied by an alert Rymbai.

Shillong also created openings through Sana and substitute Abhay Gurung, but lacked the finishing touch in the final third.

As the game entered the closing stages, both teams pushed forward in search of a winner.

Sreenidi came close in the 86th minute when Pape Gassama delivered a precise free-kick into the box, but Paulo Cezar's header was once again kept out by an outstanding save from Rymbai.

With both goalkeepers in fine form and defences holding strong, the attackers could not find much joy as the game ended 0-0.

Two second half strikes from Naoba Meitei and Amadou Soukouna guided Rajasthan United past Chanmari FC 2-0 and move temporarily to the top of the table in the Indian Football League 2025-26 at the Vidhyadhar Nagar Stadium in Jaipur on Wednesday.

The Desert Warriors moved to the top of the table for the time being with 11 points from six points while Chanmari FC remained in eighth place with five points from the same number of matches. Amadou Soukouna was adjudged the Player of the Match.

Chanmari FC head coach Dipankur Sharma made three changes to the starting XI in his first match in charge, bringing in foreign defenders Kyle Degelman and Marlon Angel in place of Malsawmsanga Renthlei and F. Malsawmtluanga, while KC Malsawmsanga replaced Joel Lalramengmawia in attack. Meanwhile, Vikrant Sharma named an unchanged lineup for the home side.

The visitors showed greater attacking intent in the early stages, with KC Malsawmsanga and Jota stretching the play using their pace down the flanks. At the other end, Rajasthan looked to build from the back with short passes, occasionally mixing it up with long balls aimed at Amadou Soukouna.

Thomyo Shimray missed in the first half

The best chance for the home side came midway through the first half, when Thomyo Shimray scuffed his effort wide from a cross delivered from the right. Meanwhile, Chanmari striker Suanngaihmuana failed to generate enough power on his header to trouble the goalkeeper after Jota had made the initial contact from a cross by Malsawmsanga.

Clear-cut chances were hard to come by in the sweltering conditions, as both sides went into the break with the scores level.

Super-sub Meitei puts Rajasthan in lead after break

Vikrant Sharma introduced Naoba Meitei at half-time, and the change paid off within seven minutes of the restart for Rajasthan United. The winger picked up the ball on the edge of the box, dribbled past Degelman, and from an acute angle produced a superb finish past the goalkeeper to give his side the lead.

The home side doubled their advantage eight minutes later through a stunning long-range strike from Amadou Soukouna. After winning the ball back in midfield, Gautam Virwani played a simple forward pass to the striker, who, with a clear sight of goal, unleashed a powerful effort from distance to beat the goalkeeper.

Rajasthan United tightened up at the back after taking a two-goal lead, inviting Chanmari FC to push forward into their half. The visitors showed urgency in search of openings, but their final ball and finishing lacked the quality needed to trouble the goalkeeper and the defence as they remained unbeaten at home.