Downtown Heroes Secure First Durand Cup Victory with Perwood's Double

Downtown Heroes' forward Darius Snorton Perwood's two goals led the team to their first-ever Durand Cup win against the Indian Air Force Football Team. The Srinagar club clinched three crucial points in Group A, while the Airmen faced their second consecutive loss in the tournament.

Downtown Heroes' Liberian forward Darius Snorton Perwood's brace earned his team a historic first win in the Durand Cup against the Indian Air Force Football Team at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. His two goals, scored on either side of the halves, secured three vital points for the Srinagar club, improving their standing in Group A. Conversely, the Airmen have now lost both their group stage matches.

The Heroes are set to face Emami East Bengal FC at Kishore Bharati Krirangan on 7th August, while the Indian Air Force team will play their final group fixture against Mohun Bagan Super Giants a day later at the same venue. Heroes' Head Coach Hilal Rasool Parray retained the 3-5-2 formation from their previous game, making three changes, whereas Air Force coach Priya Darshan introduced five changes from their first game loss to Emami East Bengal FC.

The Heroes capitalized on their first-half dominance when Perwood found the net in the 29th minute, courtesy of Aafreen Parray's precise pass and a long ball from Mohammed Inam. Despite heavy rain in the second half, Heroes' goalkeeper Umed remained untroubled. Perwood secured the win with an 84th-minute goal, confidently finishing after deftly controlling a cross in the box.

(With inputs from agencies.)