Punjab FC Dominates CISF Protectors in Durand Cup Opener
Punjab FC kicked off their Durand Cup campaign with a dominant 3-0 victory over CISF Protectors in a Group C match at the Kishore Bharati Stadium on Tuesday. The Punjab-based club controlled the game from the start and took the lead through their captain, Luka Majcen, in the 29th minute. The Slovenian forward doubled the advantage in the 58th minute with another impressive finish. Vinit Rai sealed the win for Punjab FC by converting a penalty in the 76th minute.
In another Group C match, Sudeva Delhi FC played out a goalless draw with Army Green. Both teams had chances to win the game, but neither could find the back of the net.
Meanwhile, in Group E, NorthEast United FC secured a 2-0 victory over local side Bodoland FC at the SAI Stadium in Kokrajhar. Jithin M.S. opened the scoring for NorthEast United in the 49th minute, and Ankith Padmanabhan added a second in the 90th minute to seal the win.
In other Group E action, TRAU FC defeated Kenkre FC 2-1. Bidyashagar Singh gave TRAU FC the lead in the 10th minute, but Kenkre FC equalized through Aniket Jadhav in the 25th minute. TRAU FC regained the lead in the 55th minute through Salam Ranjan Singh, and they held on to secure the victory.