Bodoland FC Secures Historic Victory in Durand Cup with 4-0 Win

In a thrilling match, Bodoland FC achieved a remarkable 4-0 victory against ITBP FT in the Durand Cup, finishing top of Group D with a perfect record. This win marks a historic moment for the team as they qualify for the knockout stages for the first time. The match showcased impressive performances, including a standout goal from Timothi Narzary and a penalty conversion by Pedro. With this victory, Bodoland FC not only topped their group but also maintained a strong defensive record, conceding just one goal throughout the tournament. Read on to discover more about this exciting match and what lies ahead for Bodoland FC in the quarterfinals.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 13, 2025, 11:27 IST

Bodoland FC Dominates ITBP FT in Durand Cup Match

Kokrajhar (Assam) witnessed an exhilarating match on August 13, as Bodoland FC triumphed over ITBP FT with a decisive 4-0 scoreline at the SAI Stadium, captivating over 12,000 enthusiastic local supporters.

This victory allowed Bodoland FC to finish at the top of Group D, achieving a remarkable nine points from three matches, thus qualifying for the knockout stages for the first time in their history, as reported by the Durand Cup organizers.

Both teams entered the match with unbeaten records, but Bodoland, maintaining the same lineup that previously shocked ISL team Punjab FC—except for Urjoy Brahma stepping in for Manabir Basumatary at left-back—quickly seized control despite the drizzling rain. Colombian forward Robinson spearheaded the attack in Vikash Panthi's 4-2-3-1 formation, while ITBP's head coach Surojit Kumar Prodhani made four adjustments to his 4-3-3 setup to enhance their offensive strategy.

In the early moments, Bodoland dominated possession, with Junior Onguene, Pedro Astray, and Robinson testing ITBP goalkeeper Ugesh Lama. However, ITBP nearly took the lead in the 14th minute when Srikumar Karjee broke through but missed the target.

Bodoland's first goal came in the 25th minute when Pedro Astray delivered a stunning free kick from near the halfway line. Timothi Narzary, who had previously missed a chance, made no mistake this time, heading the ball powerfully past Lama, igniting the crowd's excitement.

Just twelve minutes later, Bodoland extended their lead when Pradipta Biswas fouled Robinson in the box, prompting the referee to award a penalty. Pedro stepped up and confidently converted the kick with a precise left-footed shot into the bottom right corner.

The home team continued their relentless assault, and in the 40th minute, they scored again through a well-coordinated team effort. Robinson set up Junior, whose diagonal pass found Gwgwmsar Gayary, who calmly slotted the ball between Lama's legs, ensuring a comfortable lead at halftime.

The second half began with both teams exchanging chances despite the worsening weather. ITBP's best opportunity came shortly after the hour mark when a back pass allowed Leimajan Singh a clear shot, but Bodoland's defense quickly recovered. Junior thought he had scored again in the 78th minute, only to be denied by an offside call.

The fourth goal finally came in the 82nd minute. Following a corner from Pedro, Lama's punch fell to Rabha outside the box, whose shot deflected to Abdul Samed Ango. The Ghanaian seized the opportunity, firing low into the near post to seal the victory.

Bodoland goalkeeper Diamary was only seriously tested in the 85th minute, making a crucial save from a long-range effort by Lungunhao Sitlhou. The home side managed to maintain their perfect defensive record as the match drew to a close.

The final whistle triggered celebrations among the fans, as Bodoland FC not only topped Group D but did so without a loss, scoring seven goals and conceding just one throughout the tournament.

Bodoland FC will now join the Indian Navy Football Team (Group F), who qualified earlier, along with seven other teams in the quarterfinals of the 134th edition of Asia's oldest football tournament. Other teams advancing include Emami East Bengal (Group A), Mohun Bagan SG (Group B), Jamshedpur FC (Group C), and NorthEast United FC (Group E), while Shillong Lajong FC (Group E) and Diamond Harbour FC (Group B) progressed as the two best second-placed teams with six points and goal differences of +7 and +4, respectively.