1 Ladakh FC makes historic debut with a 1-1 draw against Tribhuvan Army FC in Durand Cup

1 Ladakh FC, debuting in the Durand Cup, held Tribhuvan Army FC to a 1-1 draw. Defender Siju scored the opener, making history as the first-ever Ladakhi player to score in the tournament

Hyderabad: Debutants 1 Ladakh FC made a dream start to their maiden Durand Cup campaign by holding seasoned Nepalese side Tribhuvan Army FC to a 1–1 draw in a hard-fought Group C encounter of the 134th IndianOil Durand Cup, played here at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur on Saturday. Defender Siju headed in the opener in the 23rd minute to script history as the first-ever Ladakhi player to score in the iconic tournament, before Tribhuvan Army’s Nirajan Dhami equalized with a calm finish just before the break.

1 Ladakh FC created history as they became the first team from the Himalayan region to feature in Asia’s oldest football tournament, soaking in the atmosphere. They are playing with a youthful squad, making their debut in a national tournament for the first time in their history.

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In what marks a landmark occasion for Ladakh football, debutants 1 Ladakh FC stunned Tribhuvan Army FC with an early lead at the JRD Tata Sports Complex. In the 23rd minute, defender Siju powered a precise header from a corner to give the youthful side a shock advantage.

Tribhuvan Army, dominant in possession during the opening exchanges, struggled to create clear-cut chances until the final 20 minutes. By the 35th minute, Ladakh stalled their momentum, but Tribhuvan Army grew into the game. In the 40th minute, Nirajan Dhami delivered a composed finish, tapping in a through ball following a swift counterattack to level the score and execute a trademark ‘Siu’ celebration. Two minutes of added time followed, and the half ended at 1–1.