Jamshedpur, Aug 5 (NationPress) P. Christopher Kamei’s accurate first-half strike was the key moment as the Indian Army Football Team narrowly defeated a determined but undermanned Tribhuvan Army FC 1–0 in a Group C encounter of the 134th Durand Cup at the JRD Tata Sports Complex here on Tuesday.

This victory marked the Indian Army's first three points in the tournament after two matches, while the Nepali side concluded their campaign with just one point from three outings.

Tribhuvan started the match with vigor and created the initial significant opportunity, as Gillespye Jung Karki leapt highest in the box, only for his header to be saved by Indian Army goalkeeper Gagandeep Singh. However, as the game progressed, the Indian Army began to dominate midfield, leading to their breakthrough in the 21st minute.

A well-placed cross from Wangden Tamang found Kamei just outside the penalty area. The experienced midfielder controlled the ball with his left foot and struck a low shot into the bottom corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.

Things took a turn for the worse for Tribhuvan just eight minutes later when a reckless challenge by goalkeeper Bikash Kuthu on the advancing Liton Shil resulted in a straight red card, forcing the Nepali side to continue with ten men for over an hour. From the resulting free-kick, Kamei nearly scored again, hitting the crossbar.

Despite being a man down, Tribhuvan Army displayed commendable spirit. They pressed forward, displaying urgency and determination against a sturdy Indian Army defense. Karki and his teammates managed to create a few threatening chances, but solid defending and confident goalkeeping maintained the Indian lead as the teams headed into halftime.

The second half saw the Nepali side adopt a more defensive stance, opting to rely on counterattacks. They came close to leveling the score when substitute Disanta Rai mishandled a golden opportunity, failing to score from a low cross into an empty net. Earlier, captain Karki had struck the crossbar with a powerful header from a corner, a moment that may linger in their minds.

Ultimately, Kamei’s strike in the 21st minute was the decisive factor, securing a vital win for Indian Army FT and keeping their qualification hopes alive.