Published on July 30
IMPHAL: FC Raengdai marked their maiden Durand Cup appearance in memorable fashion with an impressive 1-0 victory over last year's quarter-finalists, Indian Navy Football Team, in a Group D fixture of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium on Thursday
Substitute Khaidem Amarjit Singh scored the decisive goal in the 58th minute, handing the Manipuri outfit a historic first-ever Durand Cup goal and a deserved victory.
After the barren first half FC Raengdai took the lead in the 58th minute. Novin Gurung, the last man in defence for Navy, was dispossessed by Mridul Doley, who drove into the penalty area. Although the advancing goalkeeper brought Doley down, the loose ball rolled kindly into the path of substitute Amarjit Singh, who had the simplest of tasks of tapping into an empty net. As Indian Navy pushed numbers forward in search of an equaliser, defensive lapses began to creep into their game. One such mistake nearly proved costly when Navjot Singh failed to control a long ball, allowing Mridul Doley to race through on goal. The striker looked destined to double FC Raengdai's lead, but Bhaskar Roy produced an excellent save with his outstretched leg to keep his side in the contest.
Indian Navy threw everything forward in search of an equaliser, repeatedly delivering crosses into the penalty area from both flanks. However, FC Raengdai defended resolutely, with the backline standing firm to repel the aerial threat and protect their goalkeeper.
PHOTO CAPTION: Action from the match between FC Raengdai and Indian Navy Football Team.