Slovenian striker Luka Majcen made a dramatic impact off the bench, scoring in the dying moments of added time to hand Diamond Harbour FC a thrilling 2-1 victory over Mohammedan Sporting in their debut Durand Cup 2025 match at Salt Lake Stadium on Monday.
The Group B clash saw Mohammedan Sporting take an early lead through Adison Singh in the first half, but a strong second-half comeback from DHFC — bolstered by goals from Sairuatkima and Majcen — ensured a memorable start for the I-League newcomers.
Mohammedan, who opted to rely heavily on domestic talent, held their own for most of the contest. They opened the scoring in the 36th minute through a swift counter-attack. Ashley Koli delivered a precise through ball that split the DHFC defence and found Adison Singh unmarked near the edge of the box. The young forward drilled a powerful low shot past goalkeeper Mirshad K to give Mohammedan the lead.
DHFC had threatened earlier in the first half but struggled with their finishing. Brazilian forward Clayton Da Silva came agonizingly close in the 27th minute, unleashing a sharp volley from outside the box that narrowly missed the target. Despite dominating possession and creating chances, the equaliser eluded them before the break.
The turning point came early in the second half. In the 51st minute, Sairuatkima leveled the score with a well-timed header off a deep corner from Samuel Lalmuanpuia, giving DHFC the momentum they needed.
As the clock ticked towards full time, both sides appeared to settle for a point. But Luka Majcen, signed from ISL outfit Punjab FC earlier this summer, had other ideas. Introduced as a second-half substitute, the seasoned forward capitalised on a defensive mix-up inside the Mohammedan box in the final minute of stoppage time. With composure and clinical instinct, he slotted the ball home, sealing all three points for DHFC.
The victory marks a significant milestone for Diamond Harbour FC, who are quickly establishing themselves as a rising force in Indian football. Now qualified for the I-League, their strong showing in their Durand Cup debut sends a clear message about their ambitions.
For Mohammedan, the loss will sting after a spirited performance, but the tournament still offers opportunities for redemption as the group stage progresses.
