I-League 2023-24: Rajasthan United shock Churchill Brothers to register first win

Lalchungnunga Chhangte scored the opening goal

Rajasthan United FC registered their first win of the 2023-24 I-League season, as they triumphed 2-0 against Churchill Brothers FC at the Deccan Arena, in Hyderabad, on Monday, November 13, 2023.

Lalchungnunga Chhangte opened the scoring for the Desert Warriors early on, while Richardson Kwaku Denzell doubled the lead later in the first half, to put his side in a secure position for the rest of the game.

Rajasthan, who were languishing at the bottom of the I-League table before the start of this game, having played three and lost as many, had a massive start to the game, when Chhangte cut in from the left and unleashed a venomous left footer that rocketed into the back of the net.

It was a feisty battle in the middle, as Churchill Brothers tried tooth and nail to get back in the game in the first half.

However, a brilliant combination move by Rajasthan caught the Churchill Brothers defence flat footed, as Richard Gadze dinked a through pass between the lines, on the volley, to set up Denzell, who controlled it with his head, before driving it into the bottom corner.

Churchill Brothers were visibly crestfallen at the end of the first half, but they came out fighting after the change of ends. Rajasthan United were also determined to clock their first victory of the season, and an intense midfield battle ensued.

Hosts Rajasthan United, who are playing from Hyderabad this season, kept it tight at the back, but almost let one in, in the ninth minute of injury time. The side from Goa earned a corner at the end, and Churchill Brothers’ Ghanaian forward, Louis Ugochukwu Ogana leapt highest to head the ball goalwards; much to his dismay, the cross-bar stood in his way.

With this win, Rajasthan United climb from the bottom spot to 10th on the I-League table, while Churchill Brothers drop one place to sixth.