Rajasthan United Football Club showcased their prowess on the field, delivering an outstanding 4-0 victory against Real Kashmir at the Vidyadhar Nagar Stadium in Chennai on February 24, 2025. The triumph, marked by remarkable teamwork and tactical execution, solidified Rajasthan United's position within the I-League and signaled their intent to challenge for top honors.
The match was effectively decided within the first 32 minutes, as Rajasthan United demonstrated their offensive dynamism by scoring three goals early on. The opener came from Alan Oyesun, who found the back of the net just 13 minutes after kickoff. Following this, Michael Cabera continued his scoring spree by netting two goals within minutes, first at the 14-minute mark and then again at 32 minutes. To cap off their performance, Geur D. Wirvani scored the final goal during stoppage time, securing the 4-0 rout.
This decisive victory catapults Rajasthan United to 24 points, placing them fifth overall and marking their highest position of the season to date. On the other hand, Real Kashmir, after this defeat, finds themselves slipping to third place with 26 points, trailing league leaders Churchill Brothers by three points.
Right from the first whistle, Rajasthan United exuded confidence and controlled the pace of the game. Their aggressive approach applied constant pressure on the Real Kashmir defense, exploiting the latter's weaknesses. The opening goal, attributed to Oyesun, illustrated this as he converted easily after receiving a clever setup from Cabera, who had deftly redirected William Pauliangum’s cross.
Just seconds after the halftime break, Rajasthan United extended their advantage. Real Kashmir's defense faltered, allowing Cabera to seize the opportunity, outrunning defender Amihnu Bubba and unleashing a precise finish for his second goal of the match.
Meanwhile, Real Kashmir's goalkeeper, Syed Zahid Hussain Buchari, faced numerous challenges throughout the ordeal. Despite delivering some commendable saves to prevent additional goals, he could not stop the team from conceding what many fans have already deemed the goal of the season. Cabera executed a spectacular bicycle kick following another cross to make it 3-0, leaving spectators and players alike marveling at the skill on display.
With the match nearing its conclusion, Rajasthan United showed no signs of easing up. Real Kashmir attempted to reassess their approach during the halftime break, hoping to regain control and limit their opponents' scoring chances. Although they displayed improved defensive cohesion, they struggled to generate sufficient attacking opportunities.
Even as Real Kashmir managed to tighten their defense during the second half, they remained vulnerable. The match culminated dramatically when, during injury time, Muhammad Hamad's careless clearance allowed Geur D. Wirvani to swoop in, easily placing the ball past Buchari to finalize the scoreline at 4-0.
This match not only highlighted Rajasthan United’s potential but also raised concerns for the Real Kashmir squad, who must address their defensive shortcomings if they hope to compete effectively moving forward. Their hefty loss represented their most significant defeat since March 2022.
Post-match, the coach of Rajasthan United praised his team's performance, saying, "The players showed excellent synergy and execution of our strategy. It’s rewarding to see all our hard work translate onto the field, particularly against tough opponents. We look forward to building on this momentum as the season progresses." Meanwhile, Real Kashmir’s management acknowledged the need for immediate tactical adjustments, emphasizing the importance of regrouping and maintaining focus for upcoming matches.
The I-League remains competitive, and every matchday presents new opportunities for teams to solidify their positions. Rajasthan United aims to capitalize on their latest success, hoping to remain at the forefront of the league standings as they move through the season.