Nepal ride on Sabitra Bhandari’s brace to beat India
The Indian senior women’s team suffered a 1-2 defeat against Nepal in their second match of the Women’s Tri-Nation International Friendlies at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong, on Monday.
A wave of football fervour swept through the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in the Northeastern city as the 134th edition of the Indian Oil Durand Cup kicked off with grandeur and local pride.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma inaugurated the tournament that celebrated the spirit of football and cultural unity.
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This is the second consecutive year that Shillong is playing host to Asia’s oldest football tournament.
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Organised by the Indian Armed Forces in partnership with the Durand Football Tournament Society, the Durand Cup is one of the country’s most historic and prestigious sporting events, first held in 1888.
This year’s opening match featured a Group E clash between local favourites Shillong Lajong FC and the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM FA). Roared on by a packed home crowd, Shillong Lajong FC delivered a masterclass in attacking football, defeating the visitors 6–0 in a clinical display that set the tone for the tournament.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, in his address, expressed his pride in Shillong once again being selected as a host city. He said the event reflects Meghalaya’s deep-rooted connection with football and lauded the efforts of the Indian Armed Forces in organising the tournament.
“We are very happy and extremely proud that Shillong is one of the host cities for the Durand Cup for the second consecutive year. This is a great moment for us. We thank the Indian Armed Forces for giving us the opportunity to host the Durand Cup again,” he said.
He noted that football is not just a sport in Meghalaya but a passion that runs deep across communities.
“Shillong is a football-loving city. The State Government is promoting football at the grassroots level and even at the professional level,” Sangma added, highlighting initiatives like the Chief Minister’s Mission Football 2.0 and the broader state sports development programme.
The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the thumping victory by Shillong Lajong FC, who overwhelmed the Malaysian Armed Forces team with six goals.
The Lajong side’s blend of local talent and experienced play proved too much for the visitors.
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