ITBP edge past ten men Karbi Anglong Morning Star in Group D opener
Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC (KAMSFC) Head Coach C A Laldinsang Pudaite named a strong line up which included three foreigners in Joseph Olaleye, Victor Jackson and Ben Nash Quansh while ITBF FT Head Coach Surojit Kumar named a strong line up in a traditional 4-4-2 formation.
In another match, a headed goal by Indian Air Force FT defender Sankit, in the last minute of added time, helped his team earn a thrilling 3-3 draw against debutants South United FC (SUFC), whose number nine Makakmayum Daniyal had earlier set alight the Durand Cup, with the first hattrick of the tournament. In a Group A encounter played at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan (KBK), the Boys in Green from Bengaluru, in their debut campaign at Asia's oldest tournament and coming off a 0-5 reverse in their first game, displayed exceptional character against much experienced opponents led by the calm and clinical Daniyal, but in the end both teams deservedly spit points.
In Assam, both debutant teams were trying to take control of the midfield which made an intriguing battle with both sides cancelling each other out in the centre of the field. KAMSFC, who play in I-League 3, were reduced to ten men in just the 23rd minute when Ghanaian centre back Ben Nash Quansh received a direct red card for a reckless two footed challenge. The referee has no choice but to send off the defender.
ITBP took control of possession using the man advantage but it was the side from Assam who drew first blood. Lunminlen Haokip neatly finished a counter attacking move to give his side the lead in the 30th minute. The striker could have doubled the lead minutes later when he pounced on a mistake by the ITBP goalkeeper Ugesh Lama. The goalkeeper could not gather a cross cleanly and Lunminlen who was lurking around pounced but could not put the finishing touches.
ITBP equalised in the final minute of first half regulation time through Pulung Daimary, whose neat side footed finish found the bottom right corner after taking a deflection of the defender.
KAMSFC were brave with their attacking plays, without fearing about the man disadvantage with Joseph Olaleye creating the most trouble, but there weren't any clear cut chances that troubled the ITBP goalkeeper. ITBP scored the second goal in the 60th minute with a neat team move. Srikumar Karjee received a long diagonal pass in the right wing and the winger fended off two defenders and drilled a low cross into the box which was expertly finished by Hemraj Bhujel past the diving goalkeeper Gojen Hanse.
The Assam side could not create any meaningful chances even after having the ball inside the opposition's half as the man disadvantage made it difficult to have more people inside the box. The best chance to equalise came deep into stoppage time but ITBP goalkeeper punched a header by Lunminlen which was heading into the goal. ITBP maintained the slender advantage until the final whistle and secured three crucial points in the group.
Durand Cup action will shift to Kolkata on Monday, as Kolkata giants Mohammedan SC will take on another Kolkata side Diamond Harbour FC in an enthralling Group B fixture at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.
All matches live on Sony Sports
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
19 minutes ago
- Time of India
Rusty Bagan wary of a youthful MSC
1 2 Kolkata: Mohun Bagan SG will begin their Durand Cup campaign with an all-Indian side and against a "not so easy" Mohammedan SC here on Thursday. Not long ago Bagan's participation in Asia's oldest knockout football tournament was in doubt against the backdrop of a yet-to-be-resolved uncertainty over the Indian Super League . As a result, the reigning ISL Shield and Cup winners' senior team hit the ground running only a week ago, without Spanish head coach Jose Molina and any of his foreigners. It has been learnt that Molina is scheduled to land here in the wee hours of Friday and defender Tom Aldred is expected to arrive the following day. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata Mohammedan SC, facing a transfer ban, are also playing the tournament without any foreigner. They conceded a last-gasp goal to go down 1-2 to debutants Diamond Harbour FC in their opening match two days ago. The Bagan assistant coach Bastab Roy — who would boss the team's dugout in Molina's absence at the Salt Lake Stadium on Thursday — was in the stands to get a first-hand glimpse of the young black-and-white brigade's fight and he knew that a tricky test awaits his team. "A key feature of Mohammedan SC is that they are a young team and they don't depend on any individuals and play as a team," Bastab noted during a press conference on Wednesday. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Are you from Egypt? The Prices of Solar Panels Might Surprise You Solar Panels | Search Ads Get Info Undo "They have already played a game while we are going to play our first one. From that standpoint, we need to work harder to win the match. It's not going to be easy." Bagan goalkeeper Vishal Kaith — who would lead the team on Thursday — echoed his coach's sentiment. "They (Mohammedan SC) have already played, so their fitness level will be better. No, we can't take the match as an easy one," the ISL's Golden Glove-winner said. If early season rustiness is a worry, key defender Subhashis Bose is still undergoing his rehabilitation and attacker Manvir Singh is a doubtful starter for the opener. Five days ago, defender Dipendu Biswas and attackers Kiyan Nassiri and Suhail Bhat were pressed into service for the CFL derby but Bagan ended up losing it 2-3 to East Bengal FC. Bastab now wants his youngsters to stand up and be counted for a positive start to the new tournament. "The Durand Cup format is such that only the group winner and two second-best teams will advance to the quarterfinals. So, one loss may jeopardize your chances," Bastab said. For Mohammedan SC coach Mehrajuddin Wadoo, it's about building a better future for the team. "I'm happy with the way the young players are giving their best. Results may not be in our control. The way we conceded the goal (against DHFC) in the last minute was extremely unfortunate and luck was also not on our side. But we've to accept this and move on," Mehrajuddin told reporters. "Against Mohun Bagan, we'll try to minimize the mistakes we had committed (against DHFC) and give them a fight," he added. DURAND CUP: WEDNESDAY'S RESULTS Group A: Namdhari XI 2 (Bhupinder 79, Cledson 85) South United FC 0. Group E: TRAU FC 1 (Raj Singh 58) Neroca FC 1 (Arunkumar Singh 90+6).
New Indian Express
3 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Second-half strikes gives Namdhari Academy win on debut
In an entertaining battle of debutants, two late second-half strikes by Bhupinder and Brazilian Cledson Dasilva gave I-League side Namdhari Sports Academy an opening win in match 10 of the on-going 134th IndianOil Durand Cup. The club beat Bengaluru's South United FC (SUFC) at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan (KBK) on Wednesday. The result means SUFC end their debut Durand campaign with a solitary point in Group A after completing all their three matches. Namdhari will gain confidence and move to bigger battles ahead in their pursuit of qualification for the knockouts. South United taking the field in their traditional orange for the first time did not quite change their fortunes too much but they deliver yet another spirited performance. Coach Kaja Bhadussa of SUFC even changed keeper Nishanth to give Sunil Singh a chance under the SUFC bar, as part of five changes made from their previous draw against the Indian Air Force. Although Sunil repaid the faith shown in full with a brilliant display, it was not going to be enough in the end. The I-League side under gaffer Harpreet Singh with two foreigners in their line-up in Cledson upfront and Ghanian Lamine Moro at the heart of defence, were certainly the more experienced and organised side at this level and that shone through in the end. Aatma Singh in the 10th minute had the first crack at goal from distance for Sunil to expertly tip it over the bar. It was going to be the first of many good saves that Sunil would make in the game. It was end to end football thereafter as the two sides deservedly went into the break with the deadlock yet to be broken.
News18
5 hours ago
- News18
Durand Cup 2025: Namdhari End South United's Campaign With Comfortable Win
Namdhari Sports Academy beat South United FC 2-0 in the 134th edition of the Durand Cup with late goals by Bhupinder and Cledson Dasilva. In an entertaining battle of debutants here on the lush green Kishore Bharati Krirangan (KBK) turf , two late second-half strikes by Bhupinder and Brazilian Cledson Dasilva, gave I-League side Namdhari Sports Academy an opening win in match 10 of the on-going 134th Durand Cup, over Bengaluru's South United FC (SUFC). The result means SUFC end their debut Durand campaign with a solitary point in Group A after completing all their three matches. Namdhari will gain confidence and move to bigger battles ahead in their pursuit of qualification for the knockouts. How Namdhari Beat South United? South United taking the field in their traditional orange for the first time did not quite change their fortunes too much but they deliver yet another spirited performance. Coach Kaja Bhadussa of SUFC even changed keeper Nishanth to give Sunil Singh a chance under the SUFC bar, as part of five changes made from their previous draw against the Indian Air Force. Although Sunil repaid the faith shown in full with a brilliant display, it was not going to be enough in the end. The I-League side under gaffer Harpreet Singh with two foreigners in their line-up in Cledson upfront and Ghanian Lamine Moro at the heart of defence, were certainly the more experienced and organised side at this level and that shone through in the end. Aatma Singh in the 10th minute had the first crack at goal from distance for Sunil to expertly tip it over the bar. It was going to be the first of many good saves that Sunil would make in the game. It was end to end football thereafter as the two sides deservedly went into the break with the deadlock yet to be broken. Harpreet made two changes at the break, bringing in Dharampreet in attack and Akashdeep in defence, suggesting he wanted to make things happen. Dharampreet's injection in particular made a difference as Namdhari's wave of attacks increased. Building up to the first goal, Lotjem was denied by Sunil in the 69th while Cledson missed a couple in quick succession, one of them again denied by Sunil. Bhupinder's tireless runs from the right flank then finally brought dividends as he drove inside the box to cut back for Dharampreet. Rowan attempted to clear the shot headed for goal but only as far as Bhupinder still lurking around. The winger made no mistake with a powerful drive into the near post past Sunil's out stretched arms. That gave Namdhari the confidence required and they upped the ante further. Six minutes later Amandeep played Bhupinder on the right and his cross was feebly cleared by Rowan yet again unfortunately, who otherwise had a good game. The loose ball fell to Cledson, who this time made no mistake to stab it in from close. The win means both East Bengal FC and Namdhari now have three points with the former on top on goals scored. The Indian Air Force have one with two games to play, while SUFC have ended their campaign. First Published: July 30, 2025, 22:43 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
