IMPHAL, JUL 30 (PTI): FC Raengdai made a memorable Durand Cup debut, defeating last year’s quarter-finalists Indian Navy Football Team 1-0 in a Group D clash at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium, here on Thursday.
Substitute Khaidem Amarjit Singh struck the winner in the 58th minute, registering FC Raengdai’s first-ever Durand Cup goal.
The Manipuri side, fielding a youthful all-Indian squad under coach Kshetrimayum Birbal Singh, matched the experienced Navy outfit throughout a closely fought first half.
Both teams created six attempts before the break, with FC Raengdai’s Mridul Doley and Navy’s Sreyas V.G. testing the goalkeepers.
Raengdai returned with greater attacking intent after the interval and were rewarded when Mridul Doley dispossessed Novin Gurung before being brought down by goalkeeper Bhaskar Roy.
The loose ball fell kindly to Amarjit, who calmly slotted into an empty net.
The debutants had opportunities to extend their lead, with Doley denied by an outstanding Bhaskar Roy save and substitute Tingkaochun Gangmei missing an open goal in stoppage time.
Indian Navy pressed relentlessly in the closing stages, sending a series of crosses into the box, but FC Raengdai’s disciplined defence stood firm to close out the match in front of passionate home fans.
Indian Air Force edge past Defenders FC for hard-fought win
Naorem Somananda Singh’s stunning first-half strike and a second-half own-goal guided the Indian Air Force Football Team to a deserved 2-1 victory over Sri Lankan outfit Defenders FC in a Group C fixture of the 135th Durand Cup at the Birsa Munda Football Stadium in Ranchi on Wednesday.
Despite a late rally and a consolation goal from N. M. Aflal, the Airmen dominated proceedings for long spells and claimed all three points with an assured performance. The defeat also condemned Defenders FC to a second consecutive loss in their maiden Durand Cup campaign.
Both sides lined up in a 4-4-2 formation. Indian Air Force FT adopted an attacking approach, with Samuel K.V., Aman Khan and Naorem Somananda Singh leading the line, while Jijo Jeron and Umar Farooq marshalled the defence. Defenders FC, meanwhile, set up with a compact defensive shape, relying on A.A. Joseph and N.M. Aflal to spearhead their counter-attacks.
Indian Air Force FT’s intent was evident from the opening whistle. The Airmen immediately took control of proceedings, pinning the Sri Lankan side deep inside their own half. Although a couple of early attempts lacked precision, their relentless pressure eventually yielded the breakthrough.
In the 25th minute, a defensive lapse by Defenders FC’s Sampath Kumara gifted possession to Naorem Somananda Singh, who made no mistake. The forward unleashed a stunning right-footed strike from outside the box to break the deadlock and hand the Airmen a thoroughly deserved lead. It was Naorem’s third goal of the tournament, underlining his impressive form. Defenders FC spent the remainder of the first half on the back foot, forced into a deep defensive block as they struggled to contain the Airmen’s sustained attacks. The visitors attempted to threaten on the counter but failed to register a single shot before the interval, while Indian Air Force FT dominated possession and headed into the break firmly in control.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with the Airmen dictating the tempo and searching for a second goal. Their persistence was rewarded in the 68th minute when a dangerous cross from the left caused panic inside the penalty area. In an attempt to clear the danger, Defenders FC defender K.D.S. Sankalpa inadvertently turned the ball into his own net to double Indian Air Force FT’s advantage.
The contest, however, took an unexpected turn just two minutes later. Completely against the run of play, Defenders FC pulled a goal back through a brilliantly executed counter-attack. N.M. Aflal intercepted a long ball, raced through on goal and produced a composed finish to reduce the deficit and breathe new life into the match.
The goal shifted the momentum as Defenders FC, who had been second best for much of the contest, suddenly found renewed belief. The visitors threw numbers forward in search of an equaliser, turning what had been a one-sided encounter into an absorbing end-to-end battle.
Indian Air Force FT came agonisingly close to restoring their two-goal cushion when a slick passing move found Naorem inside the penalty area, only for his powerful effort to crash against the crossbar.
Defenders FC showed tremendous spirit during the closing stages, but their late fightback ultimately proved insufficient. Indian Air Force FT managed the final minutes with composure to secure a deserved 2-1 victory. The statistics reflected the Airmen’s dominance, as they enjoyed 66 per cent possession and registered 20 shots compared to Defenders FC’s three, making the result a fair reflection of the balance of play.