Shillong, Aug 5: Amid the deluge, FC Goa and Rangdajied United FC gave the fans an exciting contest in Group F of the 133rd Durand Cup 2024 at the JN Stadium here today with Goa taking the winner just before the final whistle in a 4-3 thriller.
The players battled each other and the massive amount of rain that fell on the ground almost right through the match.
It was announced only on Saturday that Rangdajied United FC were to take Hyderabad FC’s place as a last-minute replacement after the beleaguered Hyderabad expressed their inability to field the requisite number of players. The major question was whether Rangdajied would be ready for such a major tournament at short notice and they certainly gave their fans hope.
Goa are fielding a largely junior side in this tournament and it was Owanijuh Pajuh who bagged the lead for the hosts in the 19th minute. Rangdajied held on to their narrow lead until half time before Leander D Cunha (48′) and Devendra Dhaku Murgaokar (58′) pulled the visitors into the lead before the hour mark.
Pynbhalang Suting (61′) brought RUFC level soon after, however, before half time substitute Lalthangliana (79′) gave the lead to Goa once again. A goal by Apborlang Kurbah (85′) levelled proceedings once again and it looked like Rangdajied had done enough to eke out a draw, that is until Vellington Fernandes (90’+6) powered the Gaurs to victory in the sixth minute of stoppage time.
A Goan defender slipped while trying to control the ball and Owanijuh stepped up, got the ball and with a brilliant shot from inside the box opened the scoring.
In the beginning of the second half, the Gaurs earned a penalty after one of their wingers went down inside the box from a tackle from the RUFC goalkeeper Banshanskhem Kharsyntiew. Leander stepped up to take the shot, the goalkeeper saved it but Leander was too quick to shoot the rebound to put it in the back of the net.
The Gaurs seized the lead after a beautiful cross coming in from the right flank reached Devendra inside the box and he directed it into the net with a single touch. Rangdajied, however, equalised with a throw-in to the feet of Pynbha, who fired a screamer that curved and ended in the top corner of the net.
Goa again took the lead as a mistake from RUFC inside the box where the referee witnessed a handball and pointed towards the penalty spot. Lalthangliana took the penalty and deceived the diving RUFC goalkeeper to find the back of the net. However, Rangdajied made it all square again with Apbor putting a beautiful shot inside the net from an extremely tight angle.
Late drama continued with Gaurs with the winning goal of the match. A shot hit the bar but Vellington was there at the right place at the right time to shoot the rebound ball inside the net to produce a magical moment to take the 3 valuable points.
With this result, FC Goa are in the lead in Group F with 3 points, tied with Shillong Lajong FC but with the higher number of goals scored (+4 to +1). Lajong had beaten Tribhuvan Army FC of Nepal 1-0 on Friday. Rangdajied are third and Tribhuvan fourth. Goa and Tribhuvan will meet in the next match here on 8th August at 7PM.
Rangdajied United today:
Banshanskhem Kharsyntiew (GK), Apborlang Kurbah, Mebanaibok Kharbudnah (sub Fedrick Wahlang 88′), Tremiki Lamurong (sub Ieitlang Syiemlieh 75′), Pynbhalang Suting (sub Wansiewdor Nengnong 68′), Aenam Jyrwa (sub Freddy B Jyrwa 75′), Denelson Pyngrope, Bansanbha Khongsdam, Benny V Khriam, Balamlynti Khongjee, Owanijuh Pajuh
(Durand Cup media photo. FC Goa in blue, Rangdajied United FC in yellow/white)