Shillong, Aug 3: Debutants Langsning FC produced a sensational second half display to cruise to a commanding 5-0 victory over Mumbay FC in a Group E fixture of the Durand Cup 2026 at the JN Stadium here this evening.
Syed Ahmed (51′, 65′), Kyrmenskhem Mukhim (89′), Dibormi Kassar (90’+4) and Samuel Phawa (90’+5) delivered the goods to take Langsning to provisional first place in the Group E standings.
After being frustrated in a goalless first half, Langsning came to life after the interval, dismantling the Mumbay defence with five unanswered goals. Syed led the charge with a brilliant brace, while Kyrmenskhem, Dibormi and substitute Samuel also found the scoresheet to complete an emphatic victory and hand Langsning a dream start to their maiden Durand Cup campaign in front of their home supporters.
Both teams lined up in identical 4-3-3 formations for the Group E encounter. Langsning opted for an attacking setup led by Kyrmenskhem, Syed and Wadajied Kynsai Ryngkhlem, with Rajat Paul Lyngdoh starting in goal. Mumbay, meanwhile, relied on Afzar Noorani and Rohit Mirza to spearhead their attack, while Jebishan L took his place between the posts.
The match began at a frantic pace, with both sides creating chances in an entertaining opening 10 minutes. Mumbay FC thought they had taken an early lead, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
After that early scare, Langsning gradually assumed complete control of the contest. The Meghalaya outfit repeatedly stretched the visitors through the flanks and fashioned several one-on-one opportunities but lacked the finishing touch to capitalise. Wadajied also found space outside the penalty area and tested the goalkeeper from distance, but his effort failed to trouble the target.
The sustained pressure from the hosts forced Mumbay deeper into their own half as they committed more bodies in defence. The visitors produced a crucial goal-line clearance in the closing moments of the first half to preserve parity, going into the interval relieved after surviving a half in which Langsning enjoyed nearly 60 percent possession and registered 10 attempts on goal.
The breakthrough finally arrived six minutes after the restart. Having already earned six corners in the match, Langsning made the seventh count as a perfectly delivered inswinging corner found Syed, who powered a clinical header beyond the helpless goalkeeper to give the hosts a deserved lead.
Langsning continued to dominate but missed opportunities to extend their advantage. Samuel squandered a gilt-edged chance from inside the penalty area before Wadajied fired into the side netting from close range. Mumbay attempted to change the momentum with a double substitution around the hour mark, but the hosts remained firmly in control.
The second goal arrived in the 65th minute through another moment of quality from Syed. A beautifully weighted left-footed curling cross found the forward, who timed his leap perfectly to rise above his marker and head home his second goal of the evening.
Mumbay rarely threatened but almost pulled one back against the run of play when Afzar Noorani unleashed a dipping effort from distance. Goalkeeper Rajat Paul, who had enjoyed a relatively quiet evening, reacted sharply to tip the ball over the crossbar. At the other end, Dibormi nearly added a third after a surging run, but a heavy touch denied him in a one-on-one situation.
Langsning’s relentless attacking eventually overwhelmed the visitors in the closing stages. Kyrmenskhem added a third in the 89th minute with a composed finish beyond the advancing goalkeeper before the floodgates truly opened in stoppage time.
In the 94th minute, Dibormi Kassar produced one of the goals of the tournament, curling a magnificent left-footed effort into the top corner despite being surrounded by defenders, leaving the goalkeeper rooted to the spot. Barely a minute later, Samuel completed the rout with a thunderous right-footed strike from outside the penalty area that flew into the net to seal a remarkable 5-0 victory.
The next match in this group will be on 3rd August when Nongkseh SSCC take on Langsning at 7PM at the same ground.
(Durand Cup photo)