Indian Air Force FT vs Downtown Heroes FC Highlights, Durand Cup 2024: IAFFT 0-0 DHFC at Full-time!

Full-time statistics: It's the Downtown Heroes who absolutely dominated the match with 52% possession, 16 shots in total, and 4 of them on target. Whereas, Indian Air Force had 48% possession with 5 shots in total and only a single on target. The match was quite physical with 31 fouls committed in total.
Referee signals the end of the game with the scoreline reading 0-2 in favour of Downtown Heroes FC.
90+5' A nice moment of partnership between Snorton and Afreen trying to get another goal and another try on goal from a distance but goes awry. The IAFFT did not look to be timid and going away easily even with the scoreline reading as such at that time but not much has changed thus far.
90' As we reach the end of the game, the rain seems to have nearly stopped entirely, and visibility returning perfectly.
In the match, soon after the goal, IAFFT got a free-kick this time, the ball falls into the DHFC gk's hand who fumbles, almost costing them to concede a goal. On the other hand, Snorton now seems to be hungry for his hat-trick. Referee signals 6 additional minutes.
IAFFT 0-2 DHFC
84' Rather than his usual cuts inside the box, Afreen tries his feet on a long-ranger into the net, but it flies past the goalpost but it's Snorton again who makes it 0-2 for DHFC only a few moments later with a ball that was extremely poorly cleared by a IAFFT defender.
80' Not much can be done about the slowed down flow of the ball or the rain cause FIFA rule dictates only thunderstorms can cause a match to stop. That has not been the case here.
Coming back to the game, DHFC in their usual ways again, moving into dangerous positions and trying to increase the lead. Snorton moves in from the left and hands the ball on a plate for his teammate but IAFFT defender defends brilliantly.
IAFFT 0-1 DHFC
75' It's becoming a tough job for the camera to keep up with the invisibility caused by the rain. In the midst of it, referee stays right on point and gives the second yellow of the match to DHFC's Basit for a foul. The flow of the ball is being hindered by the rain and water causing problems on the surface.
70' Considering the last few minutes, Downtown Heroes should be happy that they got the early goal in the first half of the match because getting a goal now would've been a much harder job now.
IAFFT 0-1 DHFC
65' It's raining cats and dogs in Kolkata. Both teams doing tremendously well in a situation where visibility may be an issue by now. IAFFT managed to get a chance to equalize but DHFC defenders did well under the pressure.
(11) Ahteeb Dar in for (8) Imad Uddin out for DHFC
60' This time a mistake from DHFC defenders leads to a free-kick for IAFFT which falls close to the near post costing DHFC almost an equalizer. However, it takes only seconds for the same to happen on the other side of the field. DHFC win a free-kick 26m away, taken directly toward the goal but it flies way above the goalpost.
IAFFT 0-1 DHFC
55' IAFFT defenders made a mistake almost leading them to concede another goal but ultimately they cleared it to a corner which was again cleared away but only as far as Hyder who was quite far but his ambitious shot surprisingly hit the bar. IAFFT seem to be back on an attacking spree again after a break.
50' The first yellow card of the match went to DHFC's Imad for a foul in a very compromising place, winning IAFFT a free-kick, only 21m away, tries to kick it inside the net but the DHFC wall does its job and IAFFT wins a corner, taken short and the chance gets wasted.
IAFFT 0-1 DHFC
(8) Ashok Kumar and (26) Aman Khan in for (15) Saurav Sadhukhan and (30) Ashik KS out for IAFFT.
45' The second half begins with a kickstart to the ball from IAFFT.
Half-time statistics: Downtown Heroes have dominated the first half of the match so far with 53% possession and 6 shots, while 2 of them were on target. Whereas, Downtown Heroes have 47% possession with, only a single shot and it was not on target.
45+2' Referee signals the end of the first half with the scoreline reading 0-1 in the favour of Downtown Heroes.
45' IAFFT have managed to create a few chances but as has been the story so far into this match, none of the chances were dangerous enough to trouble the DHFC gk. The pace of the game has slowed down a bit and DHFC look like they are just looking to hold onto the lead as of now till we go to the break. Referee signals 2 minutes of additional team.
IAFFT 0-1 DHFC
40' The match mostly being played in the midfield in the last five minutes with DHFC holding the possession more and IAFFT trying their best to get their moment of magic.
35' DHFC back to business after taking the lead with another free-kick and a corner. The free-kick could've been dangerous but IAFFT did well to clear it away and the corner didn't produce anything dangerous. IAFFT got a free-kick as well and put the shot so close to the gk that it easy for him to pick up.
IAFFT 0-1 DHFC
29' As expected, DHFC take the lead with a perfect pass from Afreen and Snorton avoiding two IAFFT defenders and putting the ball smoothly in the back of the net.
27' Just like his performance against the Mariners in the last match, Afreen for DHFC has been a force on the left flank, creating dangerous chances for his teammates and won a corner in the process which was ultimately wasted. IAFFT tried to get a long-range pass inside the box from the midfield but it went a bit too far away from their players.
IAFFT 0-0 DHFC
25' IAFFT have managed to keep the ball in the opposition's half for a while but they need to do much better when they're inside or near the box. The game is being played more near the engine room as of now with DHFC also needing some time to build up attacking chances.
20' DHFC win another corner, taken long towards the far post but the ball doesn't reach any of their players. Inam tries his feet with the ball in play from distance but the ball misses the net. IAFFT trying to move up but DHFC are holding their backline well.
IAFFT 0-0 DHFC
15' DHFC won another free-kick to get that early goal, the ball is cleared well by IAFFT but only goes as far as another DHFC player who shoots but the ball flies way above the barpost. DHFC are the better side in this game so far. IAFFT managed to get the ball to the opposition's box but still haven't been able to produce anything dangerous enough.
10' The pace of the game is building up slowly as even though DHFC managing some attacking chances, they're still building the chances slowly from the deep. IAFFT are yet to go on the attack in the first 10 minutes of the match.
IAFFT 0-0 DHFC
5' We're five minutes into the match and Downtown Heroes are doing pretty well from their end with already winning a free-kick and a corner.

Here's a peek into the Downtown Heroes FC starting XI.

Let's get a look into the Indian Air Force FT starting XI.
1' Here we go. The match begins with a kickstart to the ball from Downtown Heroes.
Downtown Heroes demonstrated resilience in their narrow 1-0 loss to Mohun Bagan Super Giant. The defending champions struggled to break through the Srinagar team's defense until scoring late in the second half.
Downtown Heroes will strive to maintain their strong defensive play and improve their offensive efforts. Meanwhile, Indian Air Force FT surprised the Salt Lake stadium by taking an early lead against Emami East Bengal within 20 minutes.
However, they couldn't sustain the pressure, and the Red and Gold Brigade scored three times to secure victory. Head Coach Priyadarshan will rely on his players' experience to seek a positive result from the game.