Hnamte nets brace on SC Delhi debut as they beat Jamshedpur 2-1 in Durand Cup

Hnamte scored twice to overturn a first-half deficit as Sporting Club Delhi beat Jamshedpur FC 2-1 in their Durand Cup debut at the Birsa Munda Football Stadium in Ranchi on August 4, 2026. The 23-year-old midfielder struck after Sanan had given Jamshedpur the lead.

SC Delhi were appearing in their first-ever Durand Cup match and had been drawn in Group C with Jamshedpur FC, Indian Air Force and Defenders SC. Jamshedpur had opened their tournament with a win over Sri Lanka’s Defenders FC, and the club’s recent announcement that it was suspending its first-team operations and withdrawing from the Indian Super League was reported to have reverberated through the football community. Rain and thunderstorms delayed the kick-off, yet the stadium was filled by Jamshedpur supporters.

Jamshedpur took the lead when Sanan scored in the 22nd minute, and the Red Miners went into the interval leading 1-0. The match situation meant a Jamshedpur victory would have guaranteed them the top spot in Group C.

SC Delhi responded after the break when Hnamte equalised in the 50th minute; Aimen’s shot was saved but Hnamte reacted quickly to find the net. He completed his brace six minutes later, in the 56th, when Augustine cut the ball back and Hnamte smashed it into the near post to make it 2-1.

The Mizoram-born midfielder was making his debut for SC Delhi and is 23 years old. Before joining Delhi he had played for East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, then spent two seasons with the Marina Machans in Chennai before moving to Tomasz Tchorz’s side.

Hnamte’s two goals were the decisive difference as SC Delhi secured all three points with a 2-1 victory over the Red Miners. The brace was the sole factor that sealed the win for the capital club.

The win leaves SC Delhi with control of their fate in Group C and, according to the match report, makes them the prime favourites to top the group in the Durand Cup 2026.