NEW DELHI, NOV 11 (IANS): Nagaland United SC have announced their arrival on the national football stage in style, registering a memorable victory in their maiden Indian Football League (IFL) appearance and giving football fans across the state plenty of reasons to celebrate. While fellow newcomers Samaleswari SC and FC Bengaluru United have experienced contrasting fortunes in the opening week of the 2026-27 season, Nagaland United’s impressive debut has emerged as one of the biggest stories of the new campaign.
The 2026-27 IFL season carries added significance, with promotion to the Indian Super League (ISL) at stake. For Nagaland United, however, the journey is about far more than points and promotion. The club’s participation marks a historic milestone for football in Nagaland, as it becomes the first club from the state to compete in a national league competition.
Founded in Chümoukedima in 2024, Nagaland United have quickly risen through the ranks to represent the state on one of Indian football’s biggest platforms. Their entry into the IFL ended a 78-year absence of Nagaland representation in a national football league setup, a gap stretching back to the era when legendary footballer Talimeren Ao captained India at the 1948 London Olympics.
The club secured its place in the IFL through a goodwill agreement with Aizawl FC, approved by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on September 9. The arrangement brought valuable footballing experience into the squad while allowing Nagaland United to pursue its long-term vision of nurturing and promoting local Naga talent.
From the outset, the club has made it clear that developing footballers from Nagaland remains one of its core objectives. The management and coaching staff view participation in the national league not only as a sporting opportunity but also as a platform for young Naga players to test themselves against some of the country’s strongest teams.
That vision received an early boost on October 30 when Nagaland United travelled to Srinagar to face Real Kashmir FC in their first-ever IFL match. Any nerves associated with such a historic occasion quickly disappeared as the visitors made a dream start.
The breakthrough came within the opening three minutes when JH Remlala capitalised on a long throw-in to score the club’s first-ever IFL goal. The early strike provided confidence and momentum, allowing Nagaland United to dictate the game. Their advantage was doubled when Vanlalhriatzuala found the back of the net to give the newcomers a commanding position.
Real Kashmir attempted to fight back and received an unexpected lifeline shortly before the hour mark when Nagaland United captain Rohmingthanga accidentally turned the ball into his own net. The own goal reduced the deficit and briefly shifted momentum towards the home side.
However, the response from the Nagaland team highlighted the character and maturity within the squad. Instead of losing confidence, the players regrouped and regained control of proceedings. Vanlalhriatzuala completed his brace later in the match, restoring the two-goal cushion and sealing a historic 3-1 victory for Nagaland United.
Head coach Kaizad Ambapardiwalla praised his players for adapting quickly and maintaining composure under pressure despite limited preparation time before the season.
According to the coach, one of the key challenges was ensuring that players understood the team’s playing philosophy and developed confidence in a relatively short period. He credited the squad for embracing the tactical approach and executing the game plan effectively.
Ambapardiwalla was particularly pleased with how the players reacted after the own goal. Rather than panicking, they stayed composed and continued to believe in themselves, demonstrating the resilience required to succeed at the national level.
Captain Rohmingthanga also reflected on the emotional significance of the victory. Although disappointed by the own goal, he acknowledged that the team remained focused and refused to let the setback affect its performance. For the experienced defender, leading Nagaland United to victory in the club’s first-ever IFL match was a proud moment and an important step in the team’s journey.
The excitement surrounding the club continues to grow as Nagaland prepares to host its first home fixture of the season. Nagaland United will welcome Gokulam Kerala FC to Chümoukedima on November 14, a match expected to attract strong local support and showcase the state’s passion for football.
The upcoming encounter carries special meaning for young Naga footballers in the squad. Among them is under-20 graduate Ghuqhe Chishi, who expressed his eagerness to play in front of the home crowd. He described the opportunity to represent Nagaland on home soil as a dream and emphasised the team’s determination to make supporters proud.
While Nagaland United have enjoyed a dream start, fellow newcomers have faced different challenges. Odisha-based Samaleswari SC suffered two narrow defeats despite producing spirited performances against Gokulam Kerala and Dempo. FC Bengaluru United, meanwhile, recovered from a dramatic stoppage-time defeat to Dempo by defeating Mohammedan SC 4-3 in a thrilling contest.
After the opening week, Dempo sit atop the league table following victories over both Samaleswari and Bengaluru United. Nagaland United occupy third place with three points from one match and remain unbeaten.
