Durand Cup: Indian Army 4-0 Baghpat to lead Group B

Indian Army defeated Baghpat FC 4-0 at the Kishore Bharati Stadium in Kolkata on Wednesday in a Group B match of the 135th Durand Cup. All four goals arrived before halftime.

The Army side produced a fine first-half performance that settled the contest early. Samir Murmu, Saikhom Borish Singh, Shubham Rana and Christopher Kamei scored in succession to close out the opening period and secure Indian Army’s second successive win.

Samir Murmu opened the scoring in the 11th minute, Saikhom Borish Singh doubled the lead in the 22nd minute, Shubham Rana struck in the 35th minute and Christopher Kamei added the fourth in the 45+3rd minute.

Baghpat suffered its third consecutive defeat and exited the tournament without a point.

In Group D at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium in Imphal, Indian Navy FT beat NEROCA FC 2-0. Roshan Panna scored in the 23rd minute and E. Muhammed Inayath added a second in the 65th minute; Panna’s effort came in the first half and Inayath’s after the break, giving the Sailors their first win after an opening defeat.

The results moved Indian Army to six points from two matches and put them ahead of Samaleswari FC — also on six points — on superior goal difference; Baghpat finished the group with no points. Indian Navy’s victory lifted them to three points from two matches, leaving them second in Group D behind FC Raengdai, who have six points.