Durand Cup 2025: South United FC, Indian Air Force Share Points in Thrilling 3-3 Tie
Makakmayum Daniyal scored the first hat-trick of the 134th edition of the Durand Cup, but South United FC and Indian Air Force finished with a dramatic 3-3 draw.
Indian Air Force FT defender Sankit scored a header in the final moments of stoppage time, allowing his team to snatch a thrilling 3-3 result against debutants South United FC (SUFC). Earlier, SUFC’s number nine, Makakmayum Daniyal, had lit up the tournament with its first hat-trick.
In the Group A clash held at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan (KBK) on Sunday evening, the Bengaluru-based Boys in Green, taking part in their first Durand Cup and coming off a heavy 0-5 loss in their opener, showed remarkable resilience against their more seasoned opponents. Led by the composed and clinical Daniyal, SUFC matched the challenge well, and ultimately both sides shared the spoils.
How Did South United FC And Indian Air Force End In A 3-3 Deadlock?
South United head coach Kaja Mohideen Bhadussa opted to stick with the same starting eleven from their opening match against East Bengal on July 23rd. On the other hand, Priya Darshan relied on the experience of Saurav Sadhukan up front and Shibinraj in goal, lining up in a 4-4-2 system.
SUFC got off to a flying start when the impressive Huzafah Ahmad Dar slipped a smart through-ball to Daniyal. The number nine skipped past the veteran Air Force goalkeeper and calmly slotted in the first goal, just four minutes into the match.
The lead was doubled in the 23rd minute with Daniyal again at the center of the action. He chased a long ball from keeper Nishanth, outwitted defender Tombing, briefly lost control, but regained composure to slot it past Shibinraj with another calm finish.
Indian Air Force responded quickly. Defender Aqib, coming from deep, latched onto a forward pass by Akhish near the SUFC penalty area and sent a low left-footed shot past Nishanth’s near post to reduce the deficit.
Just after halftime, the match was level for the first time. Akhish, who had earlier assisted the first goal, created a chance from the right wing and then pounced on a loose ball in the box, firing a quick shot into the net amidst a scramble.
SUFC regained the lead when Tombing’s attempted header clearance from a right-wing corner landed at Daniyal’s feet. The striker volleyed on the turn, and although Shibinraj got a hand to it, the shot found the net, completing Daniyal’s hat-trick.
However, the Air Force team showed tremendous grit and pushed hard in the final moments. In the sixth minute of injury time, Sankit rose above two defenders to meet a long cross from the left and directed his header past the keeper to secure a dramatic equalizer..
