Shillong, August 3: Langsning FC announced their arrival on the national stage in spectacular fashion, thrashing Mumbay FC 5-0 in their maiden appearance in the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Monday.
After a goalless first half, the Shillong-based side produced a stunning second-half performance, scoring five unanswered goals to secure a dream start to their Group E campaign in front of their home supporters.
Syed Ahmed starred for Langsning with a brilliant brace, finding the net in the 51st and 65th minutes. Kyrmenskhem Mukhim added the third in the 89th minute before Dibormi Chanlang Ki O Kassar curled home a spectacular effort in stoppage time. Substitute Samuel Phawa completed the rout a minute later with a powerful strike from outside the box.
Both teams adopted attacking 4-3-3 formations, with Langsning creating several early opportunities despite Mumbay FC having a goal ruled out for offside in the opening minutes. The hosts gradually dominated possession, repeatedly threatening down the flanks but were unable to break the deadlock before halftime despite enjoying nearly 60 per cent possession and registering 10 attempts on goal.
The breakthrough came six minutes into the second half when Syed Ahmed powered home a header from Langsning’s seventh corner of the match. The home side continued to pile on the pressure, and Syed doubled the advantage with another well-taken header in the 65th minute.
Mumbay FC struggled to create meaningful chances, with goalkeeper Rajat Paul Lyngdoh called into action only once to deny Afzar Noorani’s long-range effort. Langsning, meanwhile, maintained complete control before adding three more goals in the closing stages to underline their dominance.
The statistics reflected Langsning’s superiority, as they finished the match with 25 shots, including 12 on target, while restricting Mumbay FC to just five attempts, only two of which tested the goalkeeper.
The emphatic victory gives Langsning FC an ideal start to their maiden Durand Cup campaign and strengthens their position in Group E.
