Durand Cup 2025: Indian Air Force beat Defenders FC 2-1 in Ranchi thriller
Synopsis
Indian Air Force's Naorem Somananda Singh is the standout story of the 135th Durand Cup so far — three goals in the tournament and a match-winning strike against Sri Lanka's Defenders FC in Ranchi. The Airmen's 66% possession and 20 shots to three tell the full story, even if a late Aflal counter made the final minutes uncomfortable.
Key Takeaways
Indian Air Force Football Team defeated Defenders FC 2-1 in a Group C fixture of the 135th Durand Cup in Ranchi on 29 July .
Naorem Somananda Singh scored in the 25th minute — his third goal of the tournament.
Sankalpa added an own-goal in the 68th minute to double the Airmen's lead.
Aflal pulled one back for Defenders FC in the 70th minute via a composed counter-attack finish.
Indian Air Force dominated with 66% possession and 20 shots compared to Defenders FC's 3 .
The loss leaves Defenders FC with two consecutive defeats in their maiden Durand Cup campaign.
Indian Air Force Football Team secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Sri Lankan side Defenders FC in a Group C fixture of the 135th Durand Cup at the Birsa Munda Football Stadium in Ranchi on Wednesday, 29 July. A stunning strike from Naorem Somananda Singh and a second-half own-goal proved decisive, even as a late counter-attack goal from N. M. Aflal gave the match a nervy finish.
Key Developments
The Airmen dominated from the first whistle, pinning Defenders FC deep inside their own half with sustained pressure. A defensive lapse by Sampath Kumara in the 25th minute gifted possession to Naorem Somananda Singh, who responded with a composed right-footed strike from outside the box — his third goal of the tournament — to give Indian Air Force the lead they thoroughly deserved.
The second goal arrived in the 68th minute when a dangerous cross from the left caused chaos in the Defenders FC penalty area. Defender K.D.S. Sankalpa inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, doubling the Airmen's advantage and appearing to put the result beyond doubt.
Defenders FC's Late Fightback
Just two minutes later, N. M. Aflal gave Defenders FC a lifeline with a brilliantly executed counter-attack — intercepting a long ball, racing through on goal, and producing a composed finish. The goal transformed the contest, with the Sri Lankan side pouring forward in search of an equaliser and turning what had been a one-sided affair into a tense end-to-end battle.
Indian Air Force 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 cannon off the crossbar. Ultimately, the Airmen held their nerve through the closing minutes to claim all three points.
Match Statistics and Context
The final scoreline accurately reflected the balance of play. Indian Air Force enjoyed 66 per cent possession and registered 20 shots compared to Defenders FC's three. Both sides lined up in a 4-4-2 formation, with Samuel K.V., Aman Khan, and Naorem leading the Airmen's attack, while Jijo Jeron and Umar Farooq anchored the defence.
The defeat condemns Defenders FC to a second consecutive loss in their maiden Durand Cup campaign, leaving their hopes of advancing from Group C in serious doubt. Notably, this is the first time the Sri Lankan outfit has featured in the historic tournament.
What's Next
The Durand Cup continues on Thursday, 30 July, with two Group fixtures: FC Raengdai take on Indian Navy FT in a Group D tie at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium, Imphal at 4:00 PM, followed by Samaleswari Sporting versus Baghpat FC in a Group B clash at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata at 7:00 PM.
Point of View
Meanwhile, face an almost impossible task of advancing from Group C — their maiden Durand Cup experience has been a sharp lesson in the gap between South Asian club football and India's service-team setups.
NationPress
30 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the Indian Air Force vs Defenders FC Durand Cup match?
Indian Air Force Football Team defeated Sri Lanka's Defenders FC 2-1 in a Group C fixture of the 135th Durand Cup at Birsa Munda Football Stadium in Ranchi on 29 July. Naorem Somananda Singh and an own-goal from K.D.S. Sankalpa scored for the Airmen, while N. M. Aflal pulled one back for Defenders FC late in the match.
Who scored for Indian Air Force in the Durand Cup match against Defenders FC?
Naorem Somananda Singh scored in the 25th minute with a right-footed strike from outside the box — his third goal of the 135th Durand Cup. The second goal was an own-goal by Defenders FC defender K.D.S. Sankalpa in the 68th minute.
How did Defenders FC perform in their maiden Durand Cup campaign?
Defenders FC have suffered two consecutive defeats in their first-ever Durand Cup campaign, leaving their Group C prospects in serious doubt. Despite a spirited late fightback in the match against Indian Air Force, they managed only three shots across the entire game.
Where was the 135th Durand Cup Group C match played?
The match was played at Birsa Munda Football Stadium in Ranchi, Jharkhand, on Wednesday, 29 July.
What are the next Durand Cup fixtures after the Indian Air Force match?
On 30 July, FC Raengdai face Indian Navy FT in a Group D tie at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium, Imphal at 4:00 PM, followed by Samaleswari Sporting versus Baghpat FC in a Group B match at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata at 7:00 PM.
