Kamei’s First-Half Goal Helps Indian Army Down Tribhuvan in Durand Cup Clash
P. Christopher Kamei’s 21st-minute goal proved the match-winner as the Indian Army Football Team defeated Nepal’s Tribhuvan Army FC 1–0 in a Group C fixture of the 134th Durand Cup on Tuesday at the JRD Tata Sports Complex, Jamshedpur.
The victory earned the Indian Army their first win and three vital points from two matches, keeping their knockout hopes alive. Meanwhile, Tribhuvan Army’s campaign ended with just one point from three games.
Indian Army Seize Control After Early Tribhuvan Threat
The match began with Tribhuvan on the front foot, almost scoring early through Gillespye Jung Karki, whose header was expertly saved by Indian Army goalkeeper Gagandeep Singh.
But momentum soon shifted. In the 21st minute, a cross from Wangden Tamang found Kamei, who controlled the ball neatly before sending a precise low shot into the bottom corner.
Red Card Turns the Tide Further
Tribhuvan’s task worsened in the 29th minute when goalkeeper Bikash Kuthu was shown a straight red card for a reckless tackle outside the box on Liton Shil. The Nepalese side was reduced to ten men with over an hour still to play.
Kamei nearly made it 2–0 from the resulting free-kick, but his curling effort clipped the crossbar.
Tribhuvan Fight Hard With 10 Men
Despite the man disadvantage, Tribhuvan Army FC showed impressive resilience. They pressed high at times and created promising chances:
- Disanta Rai missed a golden opportunity to equalise late in the second half, failing to tap in from close range.
- Moments earlier, Karki’s header hit the crossbar, narrowly denying his team a much-needed goal.
Indian Army, however, remained compact in defence, with Gagandeep Singh making several crucial interventions to preserve the lead.
What’s Next?
- Indian Army FT now sit on three points and will look to build on this result in their final group stage match to secure progression.
- Tribhuvan Army FC, with one point from three matches, are officially eliminated from the tournament.
Final Thoughts of The Trending People
The Durand Cup is where legacies begin, and P. Christopher Kamei’s decisive strike could be a turning point for Indian Army FT in this campaign. While Tribhuvan’s spirited fightback with 10 men deserves praise, football is ultimately decided by fine margins — and a missed chance or a red card can change everything.
For Indian Army, it’s mission continued. For Tribhuvan, it’s mission ended — but not without pride.