FC Raengdai Script Historic Durand Cup Debut with Memorable Win Over Indian Navy FT

by Chandler D'silva July 30, 2026

FC Raengdai announced their arrival on the national stage in spectacular fashion, defeating last year’s quarter-finalists Indian Navy Football Team 1-0 in a Group D fixture of the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium on Thursday. Substitute Khaidem Amarjit Singh etched his name into the club’s history books by scoring the winner, securing FC Raengdai’s first-ever goal and victory in the prestigious tournament.

Making their maiden appearance in the Durand Cup, the Manipuri outfit showcased composure, determination and defensive resilience to overcome a vastly experienced Indian Navy side featuring several players with Indian Super League and Indian Football League experience.

FC Raengdai made an energetic start and came close to taking the lead inside the opening three minutes. Mridul Doley timed his run perfectly to break into the penalty area but failed to make clean contact with his left-footed effort, allowing Indian Navy goalkeeper Bhaskar Roy to gather comfortably.

The Navy side gradually settled into the contest and began posing a threat from set-pieces. A long throw created confusion inside the Raengdai penalty area before the defence managed to clear the danger, while Wangkheimayum Sadananda Singh came within inches of opening the scoring with a deflected free-kick that drifted narrowly wide.

Indian Navy’s best opportunity of the opening half arrived just before the hydration break. Vijay Marandi and Roshan Panna combined brilliantly on the edge of the area before Panna slipped a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Sreyas V.G. The forward found himself unmarked inside the box but failed to generate enough power on his finish, allowing goalkeeper Kamei Pantiga to make a routine save.

With both teams creating six attempts each, neither side could find the breakthrough before half-time, leaving the contest delicately balanced heading into the interval.

FC Raengdai emerged with greater urgency after the restart following the introductions of Laishram Bikramjit Singh and Khaidem Amarjit Singh. The substitutions immediately added fresh energy as the debutants began to dominate proceedings.

Mridul Doley remained at the heart of every dangerous attack. First, he narrowly missed connecting with a teasing cross from P.M. Rakeveiche before squandering another golden opportunity moments later by blasting over the crossbar after a defensive mix-up inside the Indian Navy box.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 58th minute. Novin Gurung was dispossessed by the lively Doley, who burst into the penalty area before being brought down by the advancing Bhaskar Roy. Fortunately for FC Raengdai, the loose ball rolled perfectly into the path of substitute Khaidem Amarjit Singh, who calmly tapped into an empty net to score the club’s maiden Durand Cup goal and hand his side a historic lead.

With Indian Navy pushing bodies forward in search of an equaliser, spaces began to open at the other end. Raengdai almost doubled their advantage when another defensive lapse allowed Mridul Doley to race through on goal, but Bhaskar Roy produced an outstanding save with his outstretched leg to keep his team alive.

The closing stages saw relentless pressure from Indian Navy, who repeatedly delivered crosses into the penalty area in an attempt to force extra attacking opportunities. However, FC Raengdai’s backline stood firm, defending with discipline and determination to deny every aerial threat.

The home side could have wrapped up the contest deep into stoppage time when substitute Tingkaochun Gangmei was presented with an open goal after an unselfish pass from Amarjit Singh. Much to the disbelief of the home crowd, the forward failed to hit the target from close range.

Despite the late miss, it mattered little as FC Raengdai successfully negotiated five minutes of added time to seal a famous victory in front of a passionate home crowd. The result not only marked a dream start to their maiden Durand Cup campaign but also served as a statement of intent from the young Manipuri side, who combined fearless attacking football with resolute defending to earn one of the biggest results in the club’s history.

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