Shillong, Aug 3: FC1 of Srinagar marked their Durand Cup debut with a spirited 2-1 comeback victory against Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC in a Group F fixture of the Durand Cup 2026 at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Monday.
Joseph Mayowa Olaleye handed the Assam-based outfit the lead in the 27th minute before FC1 responded through Shakir Ahmad Sheikh (40′), who restored parity five minutes before the interval. Hayat Bashir completed the comeback with a well-taken header in the 53rd minute to seal victory for the side representing Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. FC1 played the final half hour with ten men after Ivorian defender Tetty Armando Yoko was shown a straight red card just after the hour mark.
Karbi Anglong Morning Star head coach C.A. Laldinsang Pudaite named a youthful starting XI featuring three foreign recruits, Cameroonian midfielder Junior Onguene Nkengue, Niger forward Joseph Mayowa Olaleye and Nigerian defender Victor Ogheneochuko Jackson. Meanwhile, FC1 head coach Khalid Qayoom fielded a side predominantly made up of players from Jammu and Kashmir, with Ivorian defender Tetty Armando Yoko the only overseas player in the starting lineup.
FC1 created the first meaningful chance of the match when midfielder Mousa Ahmed Qureshi tried his luck from the edge of the penalty area. His powerful long-range effort forced Karbi Anglong Morning Star goalkeeper Jaspreet Singh into a sharp save, with the custodian tipping the ball safely over the crossbar.
The opening exchanges were played at a lively tempo, with both sides looking to move the ball forward quickly and attack whenever the opportunity arose, making for an entertaining end-to-end contest. Moments later Jaskaran was once again called into action, this time making a save from an effort from Aafreen Basharat Parray while on the other hand Joseph Olaleye had an attempt on goal from a tight angle which went out without troubling the goalkeeper Aftab Ashraf.
Karbi Anglong Morning Star winger Lalpekhlua was a constant threat down the left flank and played a key role in his side’s opening goal just before the first hydration break. FC1 failed to deal with a corner kick, allowing Lalpekhlua to seize on the loose ball and whip a low cross across the six-yard area. Joseph Olaleye reacted quickest, getting in front of his marker to apply a simple finish into an empty net and hand the Diphu-based side the lead.
FC1 responded well after falling behind, enjoying sustained spells of possession in midfield as they looked to exploit the high defensive line employed by Karbi Anglong. Their persistence paid off when Farhan Fayaz produced a perfectly weighted pass over the top for Hayat Bashir, who had broken into acres of space down the right flank. The winger then delivered a low cross across the face of goal, where Shakir Ahmad Sheikh arrived at the perfect moment to slot home and restore parity. The scores remained 1-1 at halftime.
FC1 completed the turnaround eight minutes into the second half with Hayat Bashir finding the back of the net at the end of a well-worked move. This time, first-half goalscorer Shakir Ahmad Sheikh turned provider, delicately chipping an inviting cross into the penalty area. Hayat peeled away from his marker before rising highest to plant a firm header into the net, leaving goalkeeper Jaspreet Singh rooted to the spot as FC1 took the lead.
FC1 were reduced to 10 men at the hour mark when Ivorian defender Tetty Armando Yoko was shown a straight red card. The centre-back was dismissed for raising his left arm into the face of Karbi Anglong Morning Star winger Lalpekhlua while making a 50-50 challenge, leaving his side to play the remainder of the match with a numerical disadvantage.
Karbi Anglong to pile on the pressure after gaining a numerical advantage, committing more players forward as FC1 dropped deep into their own half and looked to threaten only on the counter-attack. Despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession and territory, the Blue Giants struggled to create any clear-cut opportunities. FC1’s defensive shape remained resolute, with the backline defending calmly to keep both the goalkeeper and the goal largely untroubled.
Khalid Qayoom responded from the touchline, introducing fresh defensive reinforcements at the right time to shore up his backline and help his side protect their slender advantage. The substitutions added energy and organisation in defence as FC1 successfully absorbed pressure during the closing stages.
For Karbi Anglong, Lalpekhlua remained their brightest attacking outlet. The winger repeatedly troubled the FC1 defence with his pace, direct dribbling and dangerous deliveries from the left flank. However, his teammates were unable to anticipate his crosses or make the right runs into the penalty area, allowing FC1 to comfortably deal with the final ball and hold on to their lead ensuring that the team from the northernmost part of India have a dream debut in the Durand Cup.
The next match in this group will take place on 6th August between Bodoland FC and FC1 at 4PM in Guwahati. Bodoland had lost their opener to NorthEast United FC.
(Durand Cup photo)