Diamond Harbour FC took a big step towards clinching the title after registering a 5-2 comeback win against Rajasthan United FC in their Indian Football League 2025-26 Championship Phase fixture at Kalyani Stadium in Kalyani on Friday.
Rajasthan raced to a two-goal lead through a Gerard Artigas brace before suffering a defensive collapse that saw it concede five goals. Hugo Díaz Rodríguez and Kevin Ademola scored two each, while Wahengbam Angousana Luwang also found the net for the Kolkata side.
The result extends Diamond Harbour’s lead at the top to 28 points from 12 matches. Rajasthan remains fourth with 17 points and is officially eliminated from the title race.
Despite Diamond Harbour’s early pressure, Rajasthan struck first in the fifth minute. Artigas drove into the box from the left before placing the ball past Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem into the far corner.
The host continued to dominate possession and territory after conceding. However, Diamond Harbour’s high-intensity pressing appeared to take a toll in the humid conditions at Kalyani Stadium, allowing Rajasthan to find more space in the final third, especially from the flanks.
The visitor doubled its lead in the 27th minute as Artigas completed his brace in style. Pranjal Bhumij found the Spaniard outside the box, and with Melroy failing to close him down, Artigas unleashed a powerful strike from distance that beat Dheeraj despite the goalkeeper getting a touch.
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The host pulled one back in the 41st minute. Díaz floated a cross towards Justin at the far post, and despite pressure, Justin headed the ball across goal for Ademola to nod home from close range.
Four minutes were added at the end of the half, and Diamond Harbour equalised in stoppage time. Narzary beat Novin Gurung on the left before sending in a teasing cross towards the far post. Malla failed to collect cleanly, allowing Díaz to walk the ball into the empty net in the second minute of added time.
Diamond Harbour resumed the second half on the front foot. The host completed the comeback in the 53rd minute through Ademola’s second goal of the evening. Justin drove into the box from the right before cutting the ball back towards Ademola, who managed to apply the finishing touch despite pressure from Abdul.
Diamond Harbour continued to dominate proceedings and nearly added a fourth three minutes later. A floated cross found Justin at the far post, but Malla produced an excellent fingertip save from point-blank range to deny the forward.
The host finally put the contest beyond doubt in the 88th minute amid a complete collapse in Rajasthan’s defence. Angousana delivered an inswinging corner that somehow travelled through a crowd of Rajasthan players and crept into the net, with Malla unable to react in time.
Two minutes later, Diamond Harbour struck again to make it five. Bryce Brian Miranda broke into the box from the left before picking out an unmarked Díaz at the far post with a precise cutback. The Spaniard made no mistake, slotting home with a first-time finish.
Published on May 08, 2026