Indian Air Force Football Team Wins 2‑1 Over Defenders FC in Durand Cup

The Indian Air Force Football Team defeated Sri Lanka's Defenders FC 2‑1 in a Group C match of the 135th Durand Cup at the Birsa Munda Football Stadium in Ranchi on 29 July 2026. Naorem Somananda Singh opened the scoring with a right‑footed strike from outside the box in the 25th minute, and a defensive error by Defenders FC’s K. D. S. Sankalpa resulted in an own‑goal in the 68th minute to double the lead. Defenders FC pulled one back two minutes later through a counter‑attack by N. M. Aflal, but they could not find an equaliser.

The victory gave the Indian Air Force three points and left Defenders FC with a second consecutive loss in their debut Durand Cup campaign.