Defenders fc

Indian Air Force Football Team: Naorem Somananda Singh's stunning first-half strike and a second-half own-goal guided the Indian Air Force Football Team to a deserved 2-1 victory over Sri Lankan outfit Defenders FC in a Group C fixture of the 135th Durand Cup at the Birsa Munda Football Stadium in Ranchi on Wednesday.

Despite a late rally and a consolation goal from N. M. Aflal, the Airmen dominated proceedings for long spells and claimed all three points with an assured performance. The defeat also condemned Defenders FC to a second consecutive loss in their maiden Durand Cup campaign.

Both sides lined up in a 4-4-2 formation. Indian Air Force FT adopted an attacking approach, with Samuel K.V., Aman Khan and Naorem Somananda Singh leading the line, while Jijo Jeron and Umar Farooq marshalled the defence. Defenders FC, meanwhile, set up with a compact defensive shape, relying on A.A. Joseph and N.M. Aflal to spearhead their counter-attacks.