Jaipur, March 13 – Amadou Soukouna's late goal in the 90th minute secured a 3-2 victory for Rajasthan United over Namdhari Sports Academy in a thrilling Indian Football League 2025-26 match at the Vidhyadhar Nagar Stadium in Jaipur on Friday.
Soukouna put Rajasthan United ahead in the 13th minute, followed by Pedro Astray's goal in the 57th. Namdhari mounted a comeback with goals from Manvir Singh (83') and Najib Ibrahim (90'), but Soukouna scored again in stoppage time to give Rajasthan United their first win of the season.
Rajasthan United climbed to fourth in the league table with three points from three matches, while Namdhari remain ninth with two points.
Rajasthan United's head coach, Vikrant Sharma, made five changes to the starting lineup, bringing in Gautam Virwani, Thomyo L. Shimray, Joseph Lalvenhina, Jonathan Reis, and Abdul Samed Ango, replacing William Pauliankhum, Lalfelkina, Pangambam Naoba Meitei, Gerard Artigas, and Cedric Gogoua.
Namdhari's head coach, Harpreet Singh, made one change, replacing midfielder Adersh Mattummal with forward Abdoulaye Diallo.
Namdhari struggled early on, and Rajasthan United capitalized, with Soukouna scoring after a long ball and pressure on Gurshan Singh. The French striker almost doubled his tally, but Lamine Moro cleared the ball off the line.
Rajasthan continued to press, with Astray hitting the post and Shafeel PP making a save. Namdhari gradually found their rhythm, creating better opportunities, particularly from set-pieces. Najib Ibrahim missed a chance after a knockdown from Moro, and Moro again headed the ball towards the far side, but it was cleared off the line.
Rajasthan captain and goalkeeper Bhabindra Malla Thakuri made several saves in the first half, including palming away a free-kick from Seilenthang Lotjem and denying Jaskaranpreet Singh's effort.
Niraj Kumar made a brilliant save to deny Pedro Astray's free-kick at the start of the second half. Rajasthan United put pressure on Namdhari's defence and extended their lead with Astray's second goal.
Jonathan Reis forced a save from the goalkeeper, and Astray scored his second goal of the season.
Namdhari were reduced to 10 men after Moro received two yellow cards, leading to their defeat.
Manvir Singh scored for Namdhari seven minutes from time, latching onto a deflected cross.
Seven minutes later, Namdhari equalized with Jaskaranpreet Singh delivering a low cross that evaded the goalkeeper's hands, and Najib Ibrahim finished expertly.
As the match appeared headed for a draw, Rajasthan United secured a decisive goal in injury time, with Soukouna scoring after a long ball.