Durand CUP 2025: Namdhari FC beat Indian Air Force football team to top Group A

Namdhari FC extended their winning streak in the 134th IndianOil Durand Cup by defeating the Indian Air Force football team 4-2 in a vital Group A match at Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan (VYBK). Samuel K opened the scoring for Airmen in the 7th minute, but the I-League team secured all three points with goals from Cladson DaSilva (penalty, 37'), Amandeep Singh (45'), and in the second half, Dharampreet Singh (60') and substitute Selenthang Lotjem (74'). Despite Sankit's last-minute goal in the 78th minute, the Airmen couldn’t stage a comeback.

Both teams started with a 4-4-2 formation and aggressive intent. IAF coach Priya Darshan relied on experienced attackers Sourav Sadhukhan and Aman Khan, while Namdhari FC’s coach Harpreet Singh fielded a strong team led by Brazilian striker Cladson DaSilva and winger Bhupinder Singh.

Airmen scored first in the seventh minute when Samuel K capitalized on a loose ball from Sourav's cross. His initial shot missed, but he volleyed the rebound into the far corner, leaving Namdhari goalkeeper Neeraj Kumar no chance. 

Namdhari kept pressing, with DaSilva missing two clear chances in the 12th and 35th minutes, but he finally scored in the 37th minute after Lamin Moro was fouled inside the box by Aman Khan. DaSilva calmly converted the penalty, leveling scores. 

Just before halftime, Namdhari took the lead as Amandeep Singh’s long throw-in was misjudged by Air Force defenders, allowing the ball to enter the net for a 2-1 advantage. The second half saw Namdhari maintain their attacking momentum. In the 60th minute, Jaskaranpreet Singh's accurate cross was brilliantly volleyed by Dharampreet Singh, increasing the lead to 3-1. 

Namdhari faced trouble when Manbir Singh was sent off for a reckless challenge in the 73rd minute, leaving them down to ten men. Nonetheless, DaSilva broke through the defense to set up substitute Selenthang Lotjem, who scored to make it 4-1. A defensive lapse by Namdhari allowed Sankit to score for Air Force in the 78th minute with a shot from outside the box following a failed clearance.

Both Aqib and Sankit attempted to narrow the gap in the final moments, but Namdhari's defense, led by Lamin Moro and Gurshan Singh, held firm. With this victory, Namdhari FC leads Group A with six points from two matches and is well-positioned for the quarter-finals before facing East Bengal on Wednesday (August 6).