Diamond Harbour FC seek redemption as Rajasthan United chase first championship win in IFL 2025-26

Antonio Moyano and Hugo Diaz might be a threat to the Desert Vipers.

The stakes are high in the Indian Football League 2025-26 season. We just talked about the recent glimpses in the ISL or in world football, but the domestic league named the Indian Football League has gloriously made its mark. The teams put their best efforts to bring the automatic promotion in the Indian Super League next year.

Diamond Harbour FC are the clear candidates to get an automatic promotion, as they are the best team in this IFL season. A win in the next game will potentially book their spot in the ISL.

Perhaps, they were just defeated by Sreenidi Deccan for a second time in this season, which might hold them for a match, but a win in the next fixture over Rajasthan United FC will possibly book their seat. On the other hand, Rajasthan United fought really hard in the group stage to get a top-six spot, but in the championship round, they fell short as the campaign didn’t go as planned.

The Bengal outfit is set to lock horns at home against Rajasthan United FC in the Indian Football League’s next game, which promises to be an exciting clash on Friday, May 8th, 2026, from 18:30 IST at the Kalyani Stadium.

The Stakes

Rajasthan United FC

The Desert Vipers are set to travel to Kolkata to face Diamond Harbour FC, the table toppers in the IFL and look to secure a commanding victory over them. A win is the final point for Rajasthan United FC in this current situation after they lost two of their championship game.

As things stand, the ISL promotion is over for Rajasthan United FC. They are currently placed fourth on the IFL points table with 17 points, the gap between them and DHFC is eight points long. They faced each other just one time before this season, where the game ended in a draw.

Diamond Harbour FC

The table toppers in the IFL 2025-26 season, has maintained their spot from a very long period of time. Diamond Harbour FC is the main contentders to get the promotion to the ISL next year, as it refelcts the fourth team from bengal who got the chance to play.

They need a win after their hopeful loss against Sreenidi for a second time this season. The partnership between Antonio Moyano and Hugo Diaz is the vital key for DHFC head coach Kibu Vicuna, as it’s the mantra of their success in the midfield area. From controlling the game to creating chances, they have done multiple times simultaneously for the team. Against Sreenidi Deccan FC at home, where they lost 2-1, Hugo Diaz scored the solitary goal for Diamond Harbour FC.

Team News

There are no suspensions or major injury concerns from the both teams.

Head to Head record

Matches played: 1

Diamond Harbour Win: 0

Rajasthan United FC Win: 0

Draw: 1

Predicted line-ups

Diamond Harbour FC (4-3-3)

Dheeraj Singh, Ajith, Melroy Asisi, Mikel Kortazar, Robilal Mandi, Antonio Moyano, Hugo Diaz, Sunday Afolabi, Joby Justin, Tharpuia, Halicharan Narzary

Rajasthan United FC (4-3-3)

Malla, Gurung, Abdul, Gursimrat, W. Neihsal, Norberto, Alan, Nortey, Pranjal, Artigas, Naoba

Player to watch out for

Hugo Diaz ( Diamond Harbour FC )

The Spanish midfielder Hugo Diaz Rodriguez, the newest addition to the squad of Diamond Harbour FC, made his name with some good games he played under Kibu Vicuna. He scored five goals for the Bengal outfit in this IFL edition. In the last match against Sreenidi Deccan, he bagged the solitary goal for the Bengal outfit.

The partnership between Antonio Moyano and Hugo Diaz is the vital key for DHFC head coach Kibu Vicuna, as it’s the mantra of their success in the midfield area. From controlling the game to creating chances, they have done multiple times simultaneously for the team.

Amadou Soukouna ( Rajasthan United FC )

From a team who conceded 23 goals till now, Amdou Soukouna is the pivotal point for the Desert Vipers to go as long as they go in the IFL. He is the main focal point in the forward line for Rajasthan United FC. Against Diamond Harbour FC, a player like Soukouna will be the key to catching the host team defence off-guard and looking to score as early as possible to dictate the tempo for the rest of the match.

Telecast Detials

The Indian Football League 2025-26 season will be televised live on DD Sports.

The Bengal outfit is set to lock horns at home against Rajasthan United FC in the Indian Football League’s next game, which promises to be an exciting clash on Friday, May 8th, 2026, from 18:30 IST at the Kalyani Stadium.

It will be broadcast on DD Sports, and it will also be streamed on the Waves app and Sony LIV app and website

Fans can watch the game on their phones, laptops and tablets ensuring access anytime and anywhere.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.