Nongkseh SS&CC End Durand Cup Campaign in Style With 7-0 Rout of Mumbay FC

Nongkseh SS&CC brought their 135th IndianOil Durand Cup campaign to a spectacular close with a commanding 7-0 victory over Mumbay FC in their Group E fixture at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Tuesday.

The hosts produced their most convincing performance of the tournament, dominating Mumbay FC from the opening stages and eventually turning the contest into a one-sided affair. Hardy Cliff Nongbri and Dawancha Carlos Challam scored twice each, while Kitboklang Pale, Chesterpoul Lyngdoh and Sheen Stevenson also found the net. The emphatic victory takes Nongkseh to second place in Group E with four points from three matches, level on points with Langsning FC but ahead on goal difference. 

Shillong Lajong FC currently lead the group with six points from two matches, while both Shillong Lajong and Langsning still have their final group fixtures to play.

Mumbay FC, meanwhile, finish their campaign with three defeats from three matches.

Nongkseh made their intentions clear from the opening whistle. The hosts won an early corner inside the first two minutes, with Pale coming close from the edge of the box. Their attacking threat continued to come primarily through the flanks, where Aenam Jurwa and Chesterpoul Lyngdoh repeatedly found space.

Mumbay FC initially matched the tempo and looked willing to attack rather than sit deep. However, Nongkseh gradually began to take control of possession and territory. The breakthrough arrived in the 11th minute when Lyngdoh was brought down inside the penalty area by Mumbay goalkeeper Pratik Jadhav. Nongbri took responsibility from the spot and calmly sent Jadhav the wrong way to give Nongkseh the lead.

The goal settled the hosts and forced Mumbay into a more defensive approach. Nongbri came close to adding another shortly afterwards when his free-kick in the 26th minute was spilled by Jadhav, although Mumbay managed to clear the danger.

Nongkseh continued to apply pressure and eventually doubled their advantage four minutes before half-time. Kynsailang Khongsit's delivery from the right was only partially cleared, leaving the ball outside the box for Challam. His effort took a deflection off Pale, completely wrong-footing Jadhav before finding the corner.

The goal was ultimately credited to Pale and gave Nongkseh a 2-0 lead at the interval. The hosts could have extended their advantage further before the break, with Pale testing Jadhav again with a curling attempt, but the goalkeeper was able to deal with it.

Mumbay Attempt a Comeback

Mumbay returned from the break with greater attacking intent, pushing additional players forward in an attempt to get back into the match. Nongkseh's defensive structure, however, remained organised. An effort from Shano Tariang in the 50th minute drifted wide before Nongkseh restored their attacking momentum. The third goal arrived in the 56th minute after Aenam worked his way past two challenges and set up Tariang. His shot was blocked, but the rebound fell perfectly for Lyngdoh, who made no mistake from close range.

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The goal effectively ended Mumbay's hopes of a comeback. Their evening became even more difficult when goalkeeper Jadhav was stretchered off with an injury sustained during the buildup to the third goal. Jebishan L came on as his replacement.

Nongkseh continued to attack despite holding a comfortable lead. Khongsit struck the woodwork in the 65th minute, while Nongbri's follow-up was blocked. Stevenson then forced a save from Jebishan three minutes later. Mumbay had their best opportunity in the 70th minute when substitute Shreyas Vatekar found himself with an open net following a counterattack. However, he could not generate enough power on his attempt, allowing Nongkseh goalkeeper Guidle Syiemlieh to gather comfortably.

That missed opportunity was followed by a remarkable final 15 minutes from the hosts. Challam produced one of the highlights of the match in the 76th minute, beating three defenders down the left before calmly finishing at the near post.

Three minutes later, Nongbri completed his brace with a simple tap-in after being set up by Stevenson.

Challam then added his second and Nongkseh's sixth in the 82nd minute. His effort from outside the box appeared routine, but the ball squirmed underneath Jebishan and rolled into the net. Stevenson completed the scoring in the 89th minute, taking advantage of a defensive mistake to round off a remarkable 7-0 victory.

The result provides Nongkseh with an emphatic conclusion to their Durand Cup campaign. Although they will have to wait to discover whether their four points and superior goal difference are enough to secure progression, the performance against Mumbay will give the Shillong-based side considerable satisfaction.

For Mumbay FC, the defeat brings their tournament to an end without a point, although they showed moments of attacking intent during the campaign. The remaining Group E fixtures involving Shillong Lajong and Langsning FC will now determine who advances to the quarter-finals.

Nongkseh may have completed their three matches, but their seven-goal statement has certainly left an impression on the competition.