Indian Navy Football Team bounced back from its opening defeat with a disciplined 2-0 victory over North Eastern Re-Organising Cultural Association Football Club (NEROCA FC) in a Group D match of the Durand Cup 2026 at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium on Wednesday.
Roshan Panna gave the Sailors the lead in the first half before E. Muhammed Inayath produced a fine individual effort after the break to seal the win. The result earned Indian Navy its first victory of the campaign, taking the team to three points from two matches and moving it to second place in the Group D standings. NEROCA FC remained at the bottom of the table with one point from two outings.
NEROCA head coach Yumnam Raju Mangang made four changes to his starting lineup. Ghanaian defender Shadrach Lantei Mills came in for Sinam Maichael Singh, while Ngathem Imarson Meitei replaced Sridarth Nongmeikapam in attack. Saphaba Singh Telem started in defence ahead of Lambalmayum Hemba Meetei, and Senegalese striker Modou Mbengue led the frontline in place of Chabungbam Linky Meitei.
The home side created an early opportunity in the 20th minute when Imarson combined well with Mbengue. After delivering a dangerous cross, Mbengue tested Indian Navy goalkeeper Bhaskar Roy with a shot that was kept out.
Indian Navy head coach Akash Kamble introduced three attacking changes to his lineup, bringing in Emanuel Lalchhanchhuaha, Khullakpam Zahir Khan and E. Muhammed Inayath. The tactical changes paid off as the Navy broke the deadlock when Vijay Marandi’s chipped pass released Roshan Panna, who rounded goalkeeper Penand Singh before calmly finishing into an empty net.
The Sailors doubled their advantage after the hour mark through Inayath, who dribbled past two defenders before lifting a composed finish over the backtracking NEROCA goalkeeper to wrap up the contest.
In the day’s other Durand Cup fixture, Indian Army Football Team continued its unbeaten start with a commanding 4-0 win over Baghpat FC in a Group B encounter at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan.
Samir Murmu opened the scoring before Saikhom Borish Singh, Shubham Rana and P. Christopher Kamei added further goals to complete an emphatic victory. The result lifted Indian Army to six points from two matches, while Baghpat FC ended its maiden Durand Cup campaign without registering a win.
