11 January, New Delhi: Sreenidi Deccan FC suffered a narrow 0-1 defeat against Rajasthan United FC in a Matchday 11 Hero I-League game here at the Ambedkar Stadium on Wednesday. Defender Aidar Mambetaliev scored the only goal of the match from a corner late in the first half to consign the Deccan Warriors to their third defeat of the season.

Rajasthan United were the more dominant of the two teams in the first half as they enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and also created more chances. But the Sreenidi Deccan defence held firm until Mambetaliev broke their resistance in the 43rd minute as his header found the back of the net.

Sreenidi Deccan FC started the second half with much more urgency, looking for the equalising goal. Faysal Shayesteh tested the Rajasthan United goalkeeper with a direct free-kick from outside the box which the custodian was equal to. From the resulting corner, David Castaneda headed just over the bar.

The Deccan Warriors kept pressing for a leveller but it did not materialise. They thought they snatched a point late on when Castaneda headed the ball in but the assistant referee flagged it offside.