FC Raengdai announced their arrival at the 135th Durand Cup with a composed 1-0 victory over Indian Navy Football Team in a Group D fixture at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium in Imphal on Thursday, 30 July. The result is the Manipuri club's first-ever win — and first-ever goal — in Durand Cup history, coming against a Navy side that reached the quarterfinals of the same tournament last year.

The Decisive Moment

Substitute Khaidem Amarjit Singh settled the contest in the 58th minute, tapping into an empty net after goalkeeper Bhaskar Roy brought down Mridul Doley inside the penalty area. The loose ball rolled directly into Amarjit Singh's path, and the substitute made no mistake from close range to write his name into the club's short but significant history.

How the Match Unfolded

Indian Navy head coach Akash Kamble fielded an experienced starting XI that included players with Indian Super League (ISL) and Indian Football League pedigree — among them Bhaskar Roy, Novin Gurung, Adersh Mattummal, Sreyas V.G., Vijay J., Brijesh Giri, Maibam Deny Singh, and Vijay Marandi. By contrast, FC Raengdai head coach Kshetrimayum Birbal Singh went with a youthful all-Indian lineup.

The first half was evenly contested, with both sides registering six attempts on goal. Raengdai created the earliest chance in the 3rd minute when Doley ran in behind the Navy defence, only for Roy to make a comfortable save. Navy threatened most from set pieces, with Wangkheimayum Sadananda Singh going close from a free-kick that deflected narrowly wide. The interval arrived goalless.

FC Raengdai introduced Laishram Bikramjit Singh and Khaidem Amarjit Singh at half-time and emerged with sharper intent. Doley twice went close before the breakthrough arrived — the second time through his own persistence in dispossessing Novin Gurung, Navy's last defender, before being fouled by the advancing goalkeeper.

Navy's Push and Raengdai's Resolve

Indian Navy pressed hard for an equaliser in the final stages, flooding the penalty area with crosses from both flanks. Raengdai's defence, however, held firm throughout. Bhaskar Roy kept Navy's hopes alive with an outstanding save using his outstretched leg to deny Doley a second goal after Navjot Singh lost control of a long ball.

In the fourth minute of stoppage time, substitute Tingkaochun Gangmei spurned a gilt-edged chance to seal the win — missing an open goal from six yards after being set up unselfishly by Amarjit Singh. Despite five minutes of added time, Raengdai's backline stood firm, earning a famous result in front of a vocal home crowd.

What It Means

The victory is the most significant result in FC Raengdai's history and a milestone moment for Manipuri football on a national stage. Notably, the Durand Cup — Asia's oldest football tournament — has historically been a platform where emerging clubs from the Northeast have announced themselves. This is the latest such statement. Indian Navy, who had the experience advantage on paper, will need to regroup quickly as the group stage continues.