Jaipur: Buoyed by the back-to-back wins, Rajasthan United Football Club (RUFC) will look to extend their brilliant run when they take on Diamond Harbour FC in their third home outing of the Indian Football League (IFL) at the Vidhyadhar Nagar Stadium here on Thursday.The hosts will have to raise their bar to get the better of Diamond Harbour FC, who are on the second spot with nine points from four matches thanks to three successive wins.The Rajasthan United FC are at the fifth position with seven points and must come up with different strategies to stop the fine run of their formidable West Bengal opponents.The hard-fought 1-0 victory against Real Kashmir FC in the last outing was marred by the injury to ace midfielder Pedro Astray Lopaz. The Spanish star fractured his left ankle after being brought down just outside the box by a rival defender in the first half. Despite Pedro’s absence, RUFC managed to earn their second win of the season.The RUFC head coach Vikrant Sharma said the team has a good bench strength and sounded optimistic on the eve of the crucial encounter.“The squad is well-prepared and focused. Playing at home gives us that extra energy, and the players are motivated to put in a strong performance. We respect our opponents, but our aim is clear , to control the game and secure all three points,” Sharma told TOI on Wednesday.With momentum building and strong support from the home crowd, RUFC will be eager to deliver a commanding performance and secure crucial points on home soil. The team has been putting in focused preparations and remains determined to make this game count.The match will be graced by esteemed dignitaries, with Gopal Sharma (MLA) attending as the chief guest, alongside special guests Amit Goyal and Bhupendra Saina, adding further significance to the occasion.The RUFC chairman KK Tak ahead of the match day stated: “We are fully prepared and excited for tomorrow’s third home match at Vidhyadhar Nagar Stadium. Diamond Harbour FC is a tough opponent, and we respect the challenge they bring. At the same time, we are confident and looking forward to putting in a strong performance. I call upon all our fans to come, support us, and create an unforgettable atmosphere.”
