Imphal, Aug 1 (UNI) The Indian Navy Football Team (INFT) secured a vital 2–1 victory over I-League side Real Kashmir FC (RKFC) in a fiercely contested Group F clash of the 134th Durand Cup at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium today.
This marks the Navy’s first win in the competition since 2021, powered by goals from Vijay Marandi (6’) and Sreyas V G (70’). Franck William Sessegnon’s 64th-minute strike offered a brief reprieve for the Snow Leopards but ultimately wasn’t enough.
INFT head coach Raman Rai deployed a conventional 4-3-3 formation, with captain Bhaskar Roy guarding the net and an attacking trident comprising Sreyas V G, Roshan Panna, and Vijay Marandi. Real Kashmir’s Ishfaq Ahmed opted for a tactically fluid 4-3-2-1 setup, featuring Russian forward Marat Tareck and midfielders Modou Mbengue and Franck Sessegnon.
The Navy struck early, opening their account in the 6th minute. A surging run by Roshan Panna down the right flank resulted in a precise low cross, which Marandi met at the near post, nudging the ball in with his knee to ignite the crowd.
Real Kashmir responded with intensity, with Sessegnon and Tareck orchestrating multiple attacking moves. However, Bhaskar Roy remained unshaken in goal, making key saves, including a crucial stop from a Tareck breakaway and a thwarted through-ball to Ahteeb in the 22nd minute.
Despite both teams exchanging chances, the Navy went into the break with a slender 1–0 lead. Ahteeb came close twice, once denied by Roy at a tight angle, and again when he misfired just before halftime.
The Snow Leopards returned for the second half with renewed purpose, pressing higher and moving the ball with urgency. Their efforts were rewarded in the 64th minute when Sessegnon made a well-timed run behind the Navy backline to collect a lofted pass from Seila Toure, calmly slotting home the equalizer.
But the Navy were quick to respond. Just six minutes later, Panna once again turned creator, threading a low diagonal pass into the box for Sreyas V G, who finished with a crisp right-footed strike to restore the lead at 2–1.
Real Kashmir threw on reinforcements in search of an equalizer, but the Navy defence, led by the rock-solid pairing of Novin Gurung and Adarsh Mattummal, stood resilient. Novin, in particular, was instrumental, producing a string of vital interceptions and fearless clearances.
Although both sides continued to probe, the scoreline remained unchanged. At the final whistle, the Indian Navy walked away with all three points and a morale-boosting climb to the top of Group F.
