Durand Cup 2024: Wadajied’s strike helps Shillong Lajong beat Tribhuvan Army; Downtown Heroes earns historic first win

Shillong Lajong took an early lead in the sixth minute of the game after the Nepal side had started the game on the front foot

Shillong Lajong took the lead in the sixth minute of the game. | Photo Credit: Pratik Chorge/Durand Cup

Wadjied Ryngkhlem’s early strike was enough for home side Shillong Lajong to secure all three points in the opening Group F game of the 133 ^rd IndianOil Durand Cup played against Tribhuvan Army FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

The home side took an early lead in the sixth minute of the game after the Nepal side had started the game on the front foot. Wadjied Ryngkhlem’s well-directed shot past a couple of defenders around, and found the net beyond the diving goalkeeper. Both teams moved the ball forward as the match was played at a fast pace, but it was Shillong who was creating the better opportunities.

Better composure would have seen the home side take a comfortable lead in the game, but the finishing was lacking. Hardy Cliff Nongbri, Everbrighton Sana and Marcos Rudwere Silva missed their chances to score.

On the other end, Tribhuvan Army absorbed all the pressure and was relying on the counterattack and had its moments in the half to equalise. Basant Jimba missed the best chance to equalise just before halftime as the striker scuffed his attempt with just the goalkeeper to beat.

Shillong continued its attacking game in the second half creating a host of chances but it still was unable to find the second goal, with the final touch lacking inside the box. Tribhuvan goalkeeper, Bikesh Kuthu was also brilliant in goal-saving various goal-bound efforts.

Downtown Heroes earns historic first

Darius  Snorton Perwood of Downtown Heroes FC scored two goals against the Indian Air Force Football Team. | Photo Credit: DEBASISH BHADURI/The Hindu

A brace of goals by Downtown Heroes’ Liberian forward Darius Snorton Perwood against the Indian Air Force Football Team (IAFFT) at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK), was enough to give the Club from Srinagar a historic first win in the Durand Cup.

After going down in all three games in its debut campaign last year, Perwood’s strikes on either side of the two halves in what was the second game in Group A for both teams, giving the Heroes a crucial three points.

Hilal Rasool Parray the Heroes’ Head Coach started with the same 3-5-2 formation that he had used in the first game against Mohun Bagan Super Giants, but made at least three changes to that 11. Priya Darshan the Air Force coach on the other hand made as many as five changes from their first game loss to Emami East Bengal FC.

The Heroes had the better of the exchanges in the first half and got the fruits of their labour in the 29 ^th minute when forward Perwood’s penetrating run inside the box from the left, was found beautifully by Aafreen Parray and the Liberian placed the ball clinically past Dinesh in the Air Force goal.

The second-half was played for most parts in blinding rain and while the Airmen were more enterprising, Umed in the Heroes goal was hardly troubled/throughout the game.

Perwood sealed the deal for the Heroes with a second strike in the 84 ^th minute, latching on to a cross which found its way to him with space in the box. He controlled well, sidestepped one defender and with the keeper to beat, blasted home with a striker’s confidence.

While the team for Kashmir play Emami East Bengal FC at the city’s second venue Kishore Bharati Krirangan on August 7, the Air Force team play the other local giants Mohun Bagan Super Giants in their final group fixture a day later at the same VYBK.

Key clashes tomorrow

Bengaluru FC will face Inter Kashi tomorrow in a crucial Group B encounter at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata with the kick-off scheduled for 7 PM.

A win for Bengaluru will take it to the top of the table with six points, inching closer to the qualification spot from the group. Bengaluru comfortably beat Indian Navy FT in its first match while Inter Kashi played out an entertaining 1-1 draw against Mohammedan SC. Inter Kashi will look to create an upset and go on top of the table with four points.

In a 4 PM kick-off tomorrow, ISL side Odisha FC will take on the para-military team Border Security Force XI at SAI Stadium in Kokrajhar. Odisha FC who will be fielding its reserve side will look to start its campaign in Group E with a win.