South United players try to thwart an Indian Air Force move.
| Photo Credit: DEBASISH BHADURI
Indian Air Force Football Team produced an equaliser in the final minute of added time to hold tournament debutant South United FC 3-3 in a Group-A league match of the 134th Durand Cup at the Kishore Bharati Stadium here on Sunday.
Young striker Makakmayum Daniel completed a fine hat-trick giving South United the lead twice in the match but IAF mounted a great fightback to snatch a point in the end.
The 18-year-old Daniel found the target in the ninth and 23rd minutes before Mohammad Aqib (26th minute) and Akish Cyril (48th) got IAF back in the mix.
Daniel completed his hat-trick in the 84th minute with a spectacular volley but IAF defender Sankit nodded home the equaliser to spoil South United’s party.
Earlier, debutant Indo Tibetan Border Police Football Team (ITBP FT) edged past a 10-man local side Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC 2-1 in the Group-D league opener at the SAI Stadium, Kokrajhar.
Md Aqib after scoring against SUFC in the 134th Durand Cup.
| Photo Credit:
DEBASISH BHADURI
Lunminlen Haokip gave Morning Star the lead but ITBP FT fought back well and scored twice through Pulung Diamary and Hemraj Bhujel to secure the win.
The results: Group-A: South United FC 3 (Makakmayum Daniel 9, 23, 84) drew with Indian Air Force FT 3 (Md. Aqib 26, Akish Cyril 48, Sankit 90+6).
At Kokrajhar: Group-D: ITBP FT 2 (Pulung 45 Daimary, Hemraj Bhujel 60) bt Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC 1 (Lunminlen Haokip 30).
Published – July 27, 2025 09:42 pm IST
