SRINAGAR, October 30: Nagaland United SC announced their arrival in the Indian Football League in spectacular fashion, defeating Real Kashmir FC 3-1 in their maiden national league appearance at the TRC Stadium in Srinagar on Friday.
In what turned out to be a disappointing evening for the home side, Nagaland United produced a memorable performance to overcome the experienced Snow Leopards and begin their maiden IFL campaign with a convincing victory.
The visitors made an explosive start, taking the lead through JH Remlala in just the third minute. Real Kashmir had barely recovered from the early setback when Vanlalhriatzuala K struck in the 21st minute to double Nagaland United’s advantage.
The two early goals put Real Kashmir under considerable pressure and gave the debutants a commanding position in the contest.
Despite playing at home and having the advantage of experience in the national competition, Real Kashmir struggled to prevent Nagaland United from making their historic occasion even more special.
The Snow Leopards managed to find the net once, but it was not enough to prevent the visitors from completing an impressive 3-1 victory.
For Nagaland United, the result was particularly significant. Founded in 2024 in Chümoukedima, the club reached the national league in just two years, becoming the first club from Nagaland to compete at this level after a 78-year wait.
Their entry into the competition came through a goodwill agreement with Aizawl FC, under which Nagaland United acquired the Mizoram club’s IFL sporting rights, with the arrangement receiving approval from the All India Football Federation.
Coached by Kaizad Ambapardiwalla and led by defender Rohmingthanga, Nagaland United had made it clear before the fixture that they were not entering the competition merely to participate. Their performance in Srinagar provided an emphatic statement of intent.
For Real Kashmir, however, the defeat represents a disappointing beginning to the new campaign.
Head coach Ishfaq Ahmad had expressed confidence ahead of the fixture, with the Snow Leopards hoping to capitalise on home advantage and start the season positively.
Real Kashmir had finished seventh in the previous IFL season after recovering from a difficult initial phase. They had also finished third in the 2024-25 campaign and were hoping to mount a stronger challenge this time around.
Instead, the Srinagar-based side will have to reflect on an opening defeat that exposed their vulnerability against a team making its first appearance in the competition.
With the 2026-27 IFL returning to a full-season home-and-away format, Real Kashmir will have an opportunity to respond, but the opening result will certainly serve as an early warning.
For Nagaland United, meanwhile, the victory will go down as a landmark moment in the club’s young history and a memorable beginning to their journey in Indian football’s national league.
Result: Real Kashmir FC 1-3 Nagaland United SC
Goals for Nagaland United: JH Remlala (3′), Vanlalhriatzuala K (21′).
