NorthEast United FC’s suffered another tough defeat in the Durand Cup 2022 as they went down 1-3 to 2016 champions Army Green at the Indira Gandhi Athletic stadium in Guwahati on Sunday before Jamshedpur FC went down 0-3 to Mohammedan SC at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in the second game

This is the Highlanders’ second defeat in the competition after they suffered a 0-6 loss against Odisha FC in the tournament opener.

NorthEast United FC who have fielded a team mostly consisting of youngsters and few first-team players got off to a bad start as Lalawmkima put Army Green in front in just the ninth minute.

The Highlanders’ confidence was shot after the early setback and they almost conceded again seven minutes later when Somesh Kothari missed a big chance after going through on goal with the goalkeeper to beat but failed to land his shot on target as the chance went begging.

However, Kothari made amends in the 24th minute when found the back of the net after receiving the ball in space inside the box.

Trailing 0-2, NorthEast United responded well and Dipu Mirdha did well ti create space for a shot but he failed to keep it on target.

Army Green preserved their 2-0 lead break at half-time as the Highlanders needed to up their game post the interval.

However, the Indian armed forces team added a third goal early in the second half to kill any hopes of a NorthEast United FC comeback Lalawmkima tapped home from close range.

The Highlanders found it tough going in the second half and had goalkeeper Nikhil Deka to thank for denying Army Green a fourth goal in the 71st minute with a fine save.

NorthEast United FC then grabbed a consolation in stoppage time as Mirdha finished a lofted pass from Alfred Lalruotsang.

It was a case of too little, too late as the Highlanders suffered their second defeat in a row.

NorthEast United FC’s next game will be against Kerala Blasters FC on Saturday as there will be no margin for error for the Highlanders.

Mohammedan SC too strong for Jamshedpur FC

Jamshedpur FC’s youngsters endured a tough evening in Kolkata as they lost 0-3 to Mohammedan SC.

Mohammedan SC began the game on the front foot as they got an opening in the very first minute. Faslu Rahman found room to shoot and Jamshedpur FC goalkeeper Mohit Singh Dhami had to be alert to clear the danger.

Dhami then denied Rahman again in the 17th minute with a fine save as Jamshedpur FC kep their opponents at bay. Vinil Poojary then went close for Jamshedpur FC with a free-kick.

Mohammedan then made their dominance count as Rahman poked home the rebound from a Dhami save in the 37th minute to give Mohammedan the lead which they preserved going into half-time.

Poojary had a good chance to draw Jamshedpur FC level in the second half but ballooned his shot over before Mohammedan added a second goal to kill the contest. Abhishek Halder after combining well with Marcus Joseph unleashed a beautiful finish past the goalkeeper in the 71st minute.

Mohammedan then made it 3-0 as Joseph was provider once again this time for SK Faiaz who made no mistake with the finish.

Jamshedpur FC couldn’t conjure a late fightback as Mohammedan SC walked away with the points to go top of Group A.

Jamshedpur FC will next be in action against FC Goa on Friday in a must-win game for the Red Miners.

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