Dempo SC derail Rajasthan United’s title charge with hard-fought away victory

Rajasthan United FC suffered a major setback in the Star Cement Indian Football League 2025-26 Championship Phase after going down 1-0 against Dempo SC at the Namdhari Football Stadium on Friday evening.

A second-half strike from Seigoumang Doungel proved decisive in a tightly contested encounter as Dempo produced a disciplined defensive performance to frustrate Rajasthan United and claim three valuable points away from home. The result significantly dents Rajasthan’s title ambitions, leaving them fourth on the table with 17 points from 11 matches. Dempo, meanwhile, climbed closer to the chasing pack with 13 points from the same number of games.

For long periods, Rajasthan United controlled possession and dictated the tempo, but their inability to convert dominance into goals ultimately proved costly. Dempo, on the other hand, remained patient, compact and clinical when the decisive opportunity arrived. The match began with Dempo enjoying slightly more of the ball during the early exchanges, though their possession was cautious and largely focused on settling into rhythm. Rajasthan looked more purposeful going forward and quickly established control in midfield.

The Desert Warriors created the first major opening as early as the third minute. Pranjal Bhumij, one of Rajasthan’s most dangerous players throughout the evening, cut in sharply from the left flank and curled an effort towards the near post, forcing goalkeeper Ashish Sibi into an alert save.

That moment set the tone for much of the first half.

Rajasthan controlled territory and possession, while Dempo struggled to involve their attacking duo of Marcus Joseph and Sebastián Gutiérrez consistently. The hosts pressed aggressively in midfield, cutting passing lanes and preventing Dempo from building sustained attacks. Bhumij continued to trouble the visitors with his direct running and willingness to shoot from distance. However, despite controlling large phases of play, Rajasthan struggled to create clear-cut opportunities inside the penalty area.

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Their best chance of the opening half came in the 22nd minute. Pangambam Naoba Meitei delivered an excellent cutback into the box, finding Alan Thapa near the six-yard area. Thapa struck first time, but José Luís Moreno reacted brilliantly with a crucial block to deny what looked like a certain goal. Moments later, Bhumij again tested Sibi with another curling effort, though this time the goalkeeper gathered comfortably.

Gerard Artigas also tried his luck from distance in the 27th minute with a powerful strike that Sibi initially spilled before recovering quickly with no Rajasthan player following up for the rebound.

While Rajasthan dominated proceedings, Dempo slowly began finding moments on the counterattack towards the end of the half. Gutiérrez sparked one such opportunity in the 38th minute with a strong driving run into the penalty area before firing narrowly wide from a difficult angle, despite Joseph being available centrally. A minute later, Gutiérrez turned creator, lofting a dangerous ball into the box for Joseph, but Rajasthan goalkeeper Bhabindra Malla Thakuri reacted sharply to prevent the striker from finishing cleanly.

Dempo nearly stole the lead right before the break from a set-piece when Gutiérrez’s delivery found Moreno inside the area, though his header went straight at Thakuri. The second half opened with greater urgency from both sides. Rajasthan continued pushing numbers forward, while Dempo looked increasingly dangerous during transitions. Bhumij remained heavily involved and again forced Sibi into action after a long-range effort took an awkward bounce in front of the goalkeeper.

Dempo threatened in the 57th minute when Aubin Kouakou floated a looping ball towards Marcus Joseph, but the striker failed to connect properly with his first-time volley. Rajasthan immediately responded through Alan Thapa, who came agonisingly close with a first-time effort that drifted just wide of the far post. Despite the pressure around Dempo’s penalty area, Rajasthan continued to struggle in breaking down the visitors’ compact defensive structure. Moreno marshalled the backline effectively, while Sibi remained calm under pressure.

Then came the decisive moment in the 60th minute.

After soaking up sustained Rajasthan pressure, Dempo transitioned quickly through the right flank. Vieri Colaco surged forward into space and drove aggressively into the penalty area. With Rajasthan defenders collapsing towards him and goalkeeper Thakuri protecting the near post, Colaco showed composure to square the ball across goal to an unmarked Seigoumang Doungel. Doungel made no mistake, calmly tapping into the empty net to give Dempo a crucial lead somewhat against the run of play.

The goal completely shifted the dynamics of the contest.

Rajasthan pushed harder in search of an equaliser, increasing the tempo and committing more bodies forward. However, Dempo’s defensive organisation held firm. Artigas, usually influential in Rajasthan’s attacking build-up, found himself tightly marked and struggled to create space between the lines. The hosts increasingly relied on wide deliveries from Meitei and Bhumij, but Dempo dealt comfortably with most crosses into the box. Rajasthan’s best chance to equalise came in the 79th minute after a rare defensive lapse allowed Artigas a close-range sight of goal. Once again, Moreno produced a vital intervention, blocking the effort and preserving Dempo’s lead.

Seven minutes of stoppage time gave Rajasthan one final opportunity to salvage something from the game.

In the third minute of added time, Joseph Lalvenhima delivered a dangerous inswinging cross that found Jaideep Singh inside the area. His glancing header appeared destined to trouble the goalkeeper, but Sibi reacted brilliantly to tip the ball away and secure all three points for Dempo.