Indian Football Wrap, March 16: Rajasthan United, Aizwal victory in I-League; Bala Devi Hat-Trick Help Sribhumi FC to win

The Rajasthan United FC gave a crushing to the title aspirations in the I-League of Shillong Lajong as it won a categorical 4-0 victory in a match in the I 2024-25 League at the Vidyadhar Nagar stadium in Jaipur on Sunday.

The triumph of the hosts was scored by goals from Abhash Thapa (45 + 2 ‘), Martand Raina (50’), Seiminmang Manong (54 ‘) and Pranjal Bhumij (76’).

Shillong Lajong entered the match with weak hopes to win the title, dragging the brothers of the Churchill League head to eight points.

After a 1-6 demoralizing defeat against Churchill Brothers during their previous release, a return to form was crucial.

However, Lajong’s performance on the day lacked character, and that seemed overshadowed by the remains of its previous loss. Throughout the match, he struggled to take up an important challenge against the defense of Rajasthan, seeming disjointed and ineffective in attack and defense.

The defeat has other implications for Lajong because it is now seventh, with 26 points of 19 games. This loss has seriously hampered its chances of title, letting it depend on other results to maintain even a theoretical chance in first place.

The Rajasthan United, on the other hand, returned to winning tracks after undergoing two consecutive defeats. Victory has not only restored his confidence, but also improved his position in the league table, bringing him to fifth row, with 27 points in 19 games.

The hosts also avenged his 0-8 defeat against Lajong in the first leg match as he retains a mathematical possibility of winning the title of the League.

Meanwhile, Aizawl FC beat the rival of Delhi FC 2-0 relegation during his I-League meeting in Mahilpur Football Stadium on Sunday.

Lalbiakdika (40 ‘, 77’) scored a splint to give its teams the three crucial points.

Aizawl FC players are celebrating after winning their I-League match on Delhi FC, keeping the team digitally in the race for the title. | Photo credit: Media Aiff

The victory moved away from Aizawl of the two stockings for the first time during the calendar year with 19 points from as many games, but after playing a game more than SC Bengaluru.

Delhi, with 13 points in 19 games, remains at the bottom of rock.

IWL 2024-25: Bala Devi Hat-Trick Powers Sribhumi FC at 3-2 Victory against Sethu; Nita FC Beats Hops 2-0

India International Ngangom Bala Devi struck a hat-trick while the hosts of Sribhumi FC snatched full points from Sethu FC with a 3-2 victory in the Indian female league 2024-25 at the Bibhuti Bhushan stadium on Sunday, March 16, 2025.

The Bala Devi class was fully exposed while the Mercuria striker scored in the 39th, 49th (penalty) and 65th after Sethu took the lead by Hadijah Nandago in the 37th minute.

Bala Devo celebrates the score to mark a hat -trick in the Indian women’s league, for the Sribhumi FC against the Sethu FC. | Photo credit: Media Aiff

Lisham Babina Devi withdrew one for visitors in the 88th minute, but it was not enough to change the course of the meeting.

The victory brought Sribhumi FC to 12 points of eight games and in third place in the table, while Sethu has 10 points in eight matches.

In the other match, a scope of Manisha Naik’s second half helped Nita Fa to win a 2-0 victory against the HOPS FC in the Capital Football Arena.

Manisha Naik (60 ‘, 63’) scored her two goals around the hour, putting the hosts in a comfortable position, in a match he dominated from the start.

The result propelled Nita Fa in fifth place in Table IWL 2024-25, with 10 points of eight games.

The hops, meanwhile, languishes below with a lonely point of as many games.