Nagaland United SC marks its Indian Football League debut with a 3-1 victory over Real Kashmir at TRC Stadium in Srinagar.
DIMAPUR — While holding court at a college commencement event in 2024, tennis maestro Roger Federer offered a profound lesson in perspective. Across a glittering career, the Swiss great won nearly 80% of his matches, but only 54% of the points he contested—meaning he lost almost every other point he played.
His takeaway was disarmingly simple: whether it ends in triumph or defeat, a point is only ever a point—nothing more, nothing less. But sometimes, ever so occasionally, some points feel like more than a point; some victories feel like more than a victory.
Friday evening at the TRC Stadium in Srinagar was one of those occasions. Nagaland United SC, the new kids on the block, walked into the home of the self-styled Snow Leopards—and left with a statement win in their first-ever appearance in the Indian Football League (IFL).
The final score read 3-1, though the hosts’ consolation did not come entirely by their own making; it arrived through a misdirected header from an NUSC defender.
For Nagaland United, the night could scarcely have begun better. The first goal arrived barely three minutes after kick-off, an early declaration of intent from a side determined to make its debut count.
JH Remlala put the visitors ahead as early as the third minute, capitalising on Real Kashmir's failure to clear Lalrinfela's long throw-in before firing into the roof of the net from close range. Before the clock had ticked past the 10-minute mark, Nagaland United had already registered three shots on target.
The second goal arrived in the 21st minute. A slick five-pass move carved open the Real Kashmir defence, with Vanlalhriatzuala applying a sumptuous finishing touch by lifting the ball past the keeper into the left corner.
The threat to NUSC defence almost every instance came from the Snow Leopard’s right wing. And this would ultimately prove fatal soon after the break.
Attempting to clear Lalvenhima's cross from the right flank, Nagaland United captain Rohmingthanga inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, handing the hosts a lifeline in the 59th minute of the game.
But the visitors were not about to let their historic occasion slip. In the 74th minute, Zomuansanga picked out Vanlalhriatzuala, who made light work of goalkeeper James Kirthan before rounding him and rolling the ball into an unguarded net to restore the two-goal cushion.
Vanlalhriatzuala's brace earned him the Man of the Match award, but goalkeeper Vanlalhriatpuia had an equally important hand in the victory.
His two crucial saves in first-half stoppage time, denying Thabiso Nelson Brown and Joseph Lalvenhima, ensured Nagaland United went into the break with their advantage intact.
With due respect to Federer and his 20 Grand Slam titles, Nagaland United can perhaps be forgiven for savouring this one a little longer. This was more than just three points on the board. It was a historic first step for a club founded only in 2024, for a state long absent from the national football stage, and for a footballing dream that finally found its footing in Srinagar — with three goals and three points to show for it.
Yet Federer's wisdom holds true. A memorable victory is still only one result in a long season, just as a setback need not spell defeat.