Before their all-important group league match of the second division I-League against Shilon Lajong FC at Kalyani Stadium on 24th April, United Sports which has been struggling to manage finance appealed to the AIFF, requesting them to give 50 percent of match-organizing expenses with the purpose of staging the match at Kalyani under floodlights. But the club has not yet received any response from federation bosses. 

The club's top brass Nabab Bhattacharya said, "In a bid to avoid the scorching heat we wanted to stage the match under floodlights. But if we do not get any financial assistance it will not be possible for us to spare the cost of floodlights and stage the match. That is why we made the appeal." 

Incidentally, United Sports edged past fancied East Bengal through a 78-minute goal scored by Jiten Murmu at Kalyani Stadium on Wednesday. The desired victory guided United Sports to be on the second spot in the group league table with eight points in four matches. Shillong Lajong FC is now in the top spot with ten points in four matches while East Bengal is languishing in third place with four points in four matches. 

United have to win their next two matches against Lajong FC on 24th April and then in the last match against Diamond Rockstar FC to qualify for the final round of the League. 

Steve Herbots, the Belgian coach of United Sports did not sound elated at all. Rather he commented, "We could have done better. The boys looked consistent in one half but failed to maintain the same consistency in another half. So, they are in a process of improving every match. Lajong FC is a tough side and the scorching heat is also becoming a factor for every footballer. I am looking at the next match only."

However, East Bengal footballer Niranjan Mondal received a serious forehead injury during the match on the day. He was immediately taken to hospital and had to undergo ct-scan and four stitches on his forehead. He was released from the hospital and advised not to practice for the next two weeks.