Shillong, Aug 9: Few clubs make an immediate impact in their debut appearance at the Durand Cup. Langsning FC, however, have done exactly that.
Two matches into the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup, the Shillong-based side have emerged as one of the tournament’s standout teams, combining attacking football with resilience to announce themselves on one of Indian football’s biggest stages.
Their campaign began with a stunning 5-0 victory over fellow debutants Mumbay FC before they produced a spirited second-half comeback from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw against local rivals Nongkseh SS&CC in the much-anticipated Shillong Derby.
The contrasting performances have not only earned Langsning four points from their opening two matches but have also underlined the qualities that have fuelled the club’s rapid rise in Meghalaya football.
Having established themselves as one of the state’s leading clubs in recent seasons, Langsning entered the Durand Cup facing questions about whether they could compete against stronger and more experienced opposition. Those doubts quickly disappeared after an emphatic second-half display against Mumbay FC.
After dominating possession without finding the breakthrough in the opening 45 minutes, head coach Khlain Pyrkhat Syiemlieh resisted making major tactical changes at the interval.
“In the first half, they didn’t stick to our plan,” he reflected afterwards. “When we came back into the dressing room, I told them why they weren’t following it. Once we started doing that again, we dominated.”
His words proved prophetic.
Syed Ahmed broke the deadlock six minutes after the restart with Langsning’s first-ever Durand Cup goal before adding a second. Teenager Kyrmenskhem Mukhim, Dibormi Chanlang Ki O Kassar and Samuel Phawa also found the net as Langsning completed a remarkable 5-0 victory.
For Ahmed, the brace marked a memorable beginning to his first Durand Cup campaign.
“It feels amazing,” he said with a smile. “First of all, I thank God Almighty for giving me this opportunity. This is my first Durand Cup and Alhamdulillah, I scored two goals. Inshallah, I’ll score more goals in the next matches and help the team qualify.”
Asked about narrowly missing out on a hat-trick, the striker simply smiled. “No problem,” he laughed. “In the next match.”
Langsning’s youthful squad has also been central to their impressive start. Coach Syiemlieh revealed that the average age of his team is around 24, with five or six players still under the age of 20. Among them is 18-year-old Kyrmenskhem Mukhim, who marked his Durand Cup debut with a goal against Mumbay FC.
“It was my first Durand Cup,” Mukhim admitted. “When I went onto the ground, I felt scared. But once the match started, I wasn’t afraid anymore.”
The teenager also spoke about his long-term ambitions. “I want to play for a big club,” he said. “And hopefully one day for India.”
If the opening victory showcased Langsning’s attacking flair, their second outing demonstrated their fighting spirit. Facing Nongkseh SS&CC in a high-profile Shillong Derby, Langsning started brightly but found themselves trailing 2-0 at half-time after goals from Shano Tariang and captain Hardy Nongbri.
Instead of fading away, they produced an inspired response after the restart. Mebanshngain Kurkalang headed home from a long throw before Ahmed equalised just minutes later with another powerful header, completing a remarkable comeback to earn a valuable point.
Kurkalang later revealed the personal significance behind his goal. “I told my mother that I would score today,” he said afterwards. “So I did it for her… and for the love of my life, Veronica. And all thanks to God.”
The draw kept Langsning unbeaten and reinforced the belief growing within the squad.
Syiemlieh, who previously guided Bodoland FC to the Durand Cup quarter-finals, has been careful to keep expectations grounded despite the impressive start. “Everybody is happy,” he said after the opening victory. “Most of our players are young, so they were very excited after beating Mumbay. But our objective remains the same – we want to reach the next stage.”
With four points from two matches and seven goals scored, Langsning remain firmly in contention for a place in the quarter-finals.
More importantly, they have shown they can win in different ways, by overwhelming opponents with attacking football or by displaying the character to recover from adversity.
For a club making its first appearance in the Durand Cup, that combination has made the Men in Pink one of the standout stories of this year’s tournament.
Their campaign is far from over, with a crucial clash against Shillong Lajong FC still to come, but Langsning have already ensured their debut season will be remembered.
Through fearless football, a talented young squad and an unwavering fighting spirit, they have demonstrated that the Durand Cup remains a stage where emerging clubs can dream big and make their mark.
Note: The following feature is based on a press release issued by the Durand Football Tournament Society (DFTS) and has been substantially edited by Meghalaya Sports for style and clarity.
