The Indian Air Force Football Team (IAF FT) secured a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Sri Lanka's Defenders FC in an exciting Group C fixture of the Durand Cup at the Birsa Munda Stadium in Ranchi.
Displaying a dominant performance throughout the match, the Airmen dictated the tempo from the opening whistle. Naorem Somananda Singh broke the deadlock for IAF FT in the first half with a stunning strike into the net.
The Indian Air Force doubled their lead in the second half when pressure in the box forced an unlucky own goal from Defenders FC defender KDS Sankalpa. Despite being two goals down, the Sri Lankan side mounted a late rally, with NM Aflal scoring a consolation goal to cut the deficit. However, their late push proved insufficient as the Air Force defense held firm to seal all three points.
Coaches and players praised the squad's tactical execution and team cohesion, which significantly boosted IAF FT's standing in the tournament as they push for a spot in the knockout stages.
