Durand Cup 2024: Inter Kashi conclude group stage campaign with a win

Inter Kashi edged past Navy Men in a close contest in Durand Cup.

Inter Kashi defeated Indian Navy FT (INFT) 2-1, to keep their knockout hopes alive in Group B of the 133rd IndianOil Durand Cup, played here at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan. The Navy Men took the lead in the 52nd minute through Novin Gurung but two quick-fire goals by Nikola Stojanovic and the substitute Tomba Singh ensured Inter Kashi registered their first-ever Durand Cup victory and finished their debut campaign with four points.

The Raman Rai coached INFT started with a 4-2-3-1 formation with Sreyas leading the attack and with Britto and Vijay on the wings. Inter Kashi played a 4-3-3 formation with the likes of Sweden, Edmund, and Mario Barco leading the attack line for them.

Inter Kashi tested the Navy defence throughout the first half but keeper Vishnu and their defence led by skipper Novin Gurung, managed to keep all dangers at bay. Vishnu made some crucial saves. Inter Kashi put a lot of pressure, especially during the dying stages of the first half, but they could not change the scoreline.

On resumption, it was the Navymen who appeared to be quicker off the blocks and created quite a few chances. They drew first blood from a set-piece after Vijay was brought down by Mandi, just outside the box on the right. Pintu Mahata’s delivery was brilliantly met by a leaping Gurung, who deflected a powerful header past Kashi keeper Shubham Das, even though he managed to get a hand to it.

In the 59th minute, Navy keeper Vishnu was substituted due to an injury and R. Robinson came in place. Inter Kashi equalized soon after in the 65th minute, thanks to a long-ranger by the Serbian Nikola Stojanovic, for his second goal of the tournament.

Inter Kashi struck again in the very next minute as Tomba Singh headed in a rebound which came off the post from another effort by Stojanovic and the comeback was complete.

The Varanasi-based side then continued to apply pressure on the defence to find a third goal but couldn’t create any clear chances as they held on to the one-goal advantage for a win.

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