Nongkseh SS&CC signed off from the 135th Durand Cup with their most emphatic display of the tournament, hammering Mumbay FC 7-0 in a Group E fixture at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Tuesday, 11 August. The result was a commanding statement from the hosts, even if it came too late to secure a knockout-stage berth.

Scorers and Standout Performances

Hardy Cliff Nongbri and Dawancha Carlos Challam each scored twice, while Kitboklang Pale, Chesterpoul Lyngdoh, and Sheen Stevenson also got on the scoresheet. The performance was built on relentless pressing, sharp movement down the flanks, and clinical finishing in the second half.

Nongbri opened the scoring in the 13th minute from the penalty spot after Mumbay goalkeeper Pratik Jadhav brought down Lyngdoh inside the box. Challam's deflected effort doubled the lead in the 41st minute, with a touch off Pale sending Jadhav the wrong way. Lyngdoh added a third in the 56th minute after a blocked shot fell kindly at his feet.

Second-Half Rout

The match was effectively settled by the hour mark, but Nongkseh continued to press. Kynsailang Khongsit rattled the woodwork in the 65th minute, and the floodgates opened in the final quarter. Challam produced the goal of the match in the 76th minute, dribbling past three defenders before finishing coolly at the near post. Nongbri completed his brace in the 79th minute with a tap-in, Challam added his second in the 82nd minute when his effort squirmed beneath substitute goalkeeper Jebishan L, and Stevenson rounded off the rout in the 89th minute by capitalising on a defensive error.

Mumbay's best opportunity came through substitute Shreyas Vatekar in the 70th minute, but his shot on an open net lacked power and was gathered comfortably by Nongkseh goalkeeper Guidle Syiemlieh. Jadhav had earlier been stretchered off with an injury sustained in the build-up to the third goal.

Group E Standings

The result lifts Nongkseh to second place in Group E with four points from three matches, level on points with Langsning FC but ahead on goal difference. Shillong Lajong FC top the group with six points from just two matches and remain firm favourites to advance. Both Shillong Lajong and Langsning FC are yet to play their final group-stage fixture, with a quarter-final place at stake. Mumbay FC, having completed all three group matches without a point, exit the tournament.

What Comes Next

Group E's final round of fixtures will determine the second qualifier alongside Shillong Lajong. Elsewhere in the tournament, Wednesday's schedule features NEROCA FC vs FC Raengdai in Group D at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium, Imphal at 4 PM, and Mohammedan SC vs Indian Army FT in Group B at Kishore Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata at 7 PM. For Nongkseh, the 7-0 victory offers considerable satisfaction as a parting memory of this year's campaign, even without a place in the last eight to accompany it.