Ranchi, Aug. 6 -- The skies over the Birsa Munda Football Stadium had other plans. Thunderstorms rolled in ahead of kick-off, delaying the start and turning the pitch into a slick, unpredictable surface. By half-time, SC Delhi were behind, outworked in patches and staring at a result that would have handed Jamshedpur FC the early initiative in Group C of the 135th Durand Cup.

Twice in that span, debutant Lalrinliana Hnamte found the net, turning a one-goal deficit into a 2-1 win and, more importantly for a club still finding its identity, into a statement about what this SC Delhi side is trying to build.

Jamshedpur had made the early running. Sanan Mohammed, restless down the flank, had given the home crowd plenty to cheer, setting up t...