Jamshedpur, Aug 11 (NationPress) The Indian Army mounted an impressive comeback, defeating Ladakh FC 4–2 in their concluding Group C match of the 134th Durand Cup in Jamshedpur on Monday. Unfortunately, this victory did not suffice to secure a spot in the quarterfinals.

Although they finished equal on six points with a +2 goal difference, the Army squad could not clinch one of the two coveted second-placed positions.

With the urgency to achieve a significant win, the Army initiated the match aggressively, utilizing the speed and width provided by Vignesh Velan and Christopher Kamei to stretch the Ladakh defense. However, it was Ladakh that drew first blood in the 22nd minute.

A perfectly timed through ball broke through the Army's backline, setting up P Kamalesh for a clear shot on goal, only to be taken down by goalkeeper Sayad Kadir. Kamalesh confidently converted the penalty, putting Ladakh ahead 1–0. Just fourteen minutes later, Ladakh extended their lead with a precise, angled finish from Vignesh that left Kadir stranded.

Facing elimination, the Army rallied back into contention. Sama sparked the resurgence with a towering header from Christopher's pinpoint cross, followed by Abhishek, who scrambled in an equalizer during the first-half stoppage time amidst chaos in the Ladakh box.

The momentum carried into the second half, and in the 51st minute, Abhishek Shankar was fouled in the box, allowing Christopher to calmly convert from the spot, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way. Just four minutes later, Rahul Ramakrishnan arrived unmarked to nod in a low cross from close range, completing a quick-fire double that extinguished Ladakh's hopes.