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Shillong Lajong FC and Rajasthan United FC started their respective campaigns with a 1-1 draw in Indian Football League (IFL) 2025-26 at the SSA Stadium in Shillong on Sunday, March 1, 2026.
Everbrightson Sana handed the home side the lead in the 15th minute, reacting quickest to convert the rebound after his penalty had been saved, before Abhishek Ambekar restored parity for Rajasthan United in the 53rd minute.
The home side appeared the more composed in the opening exchanges and capitalised on that momentum to take the lead. Everbrightson Sana was brought down inside the area by Rajasthan United defender Shafeel PP, prompting the referee to point to the spot. Sana stepped up to take the penalty he had won, but Bhabindra Malla Thakuri dived low to his left to make the save. The rebound, however, fell kindly for the striker, who reacted quickest to hammer the ball into the net and hand his side the advantage.
Rajasthan United were presented with a gilt-edged chance to restore parity midway through the first half. Pedro Astray López combined neatly with Pragyan Gogoi in a slick one-two before slipping him through into a dangerous position. With only the goalkeeper to beat, however, Pragyan dragged his left-footed effort wide of the target.
The remainder of the half was largely a midfield battle, with both sides contesting possession but struggling to fashion clear-cut opportunities. As a result, the home side went into the interval holding on to their slender one-goal advantage.
The visitors began the second half on the front foot, immediately putting the Shillong Lajong backline under pressure. Jordan Lamela’s left-footed strike was palmed away by Siwel Rymbai, who then reacted sharply to deny Amadou Soukouna from the follow-up. At the other end, Phrangki Buam squandered a promising opportunity to double the advantage, blazing his effort over the crossbar.
The visitors took the lead eight minutes after the restart through Abhishek Ambekar. A long ball forward was brought down inside the area by Soukouna, who held off two defenders and the advancing goalkeeper amid a scramble. The loose ball broke kindly for Ambekar, who kept his composure to slot into the unguarded net.
Both head coaches turned to their benches after the hour mark in search of a decisive breakthrough, but neither side were able to test the goalkeepers with any meaningful effort.
Shillong Lajong appeared the more likely to snatch a late winner in the closing stages, yet their forwards lacked the composure required to beat Thakuri, who remained assured between the posts and dealt calmly with the danger.
In the end, both sides started their campaign securing a point each.
