Imphal, August 10: In a thrilling conclusion to their group stage matches in the Durand Cup, Tiddim Road Athletic Union Football Club (TRAU FC) triumphed over Indian Navy FT with a score of 2-1. The match took place at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium on Sunday, where Afriidi Buyamayum scored both goals for the winning team.
Buyamayum opened the scoring with a stunning curling shot in the 16th minute. However, just 16 seconds into the restart, Khullakpam Zaheer Khan equalized for Indian Navy. Buyamayum then restored TRAU’s lead in the 60th minute, and despite relentless attacks from the sailors, the Manipuri team held on to their advantage.
Indian Navy dominated possession, attempting 26 shots at goal, with 15 on target. Yet, TRAU’s defense and goalkeeper Tajuddin thwarted their efforts repeatedly. In contrast, TRAU managed only eight shots, with two finding the back of the net.
With this result, TRAU finished second in Group D with four points from three matches, while Indian Navy concluded their campaign with three points. Neither team advanced to the quarter-finals. FC Rangdajied, making their debut in the tournament, topped the group and secured a spot in the final eight.
Indian Navy controlled the early stages of the match, pushing TRAU back into their half. The sailors created their first clear chance in the seventh minute and made three consecutive attempts, but TRAU’s defense held firm.
Against the run of play, TRAU broke the deadlock in the 16th minute. Buyamayum found space outside the box and curled the ball into the top corner with his right foot, leaving goalkeeper Roy with no chance. This was TRAU’s first attempt of the match.
The goal boosted TRAU’s confidence, but Indian Navy maintained possession and continued to threaten from distance. By halftime, the sailors had attempted 12 shots, six of which were on target, but they failed to convert any.
Just seconds into the second half, Indian Navy leveled the score. Khullakpam Zaheer Khan capitalized on a defensive lapse by TRAU, advancing through the middle and calmly scoring to make it 1-1. The sailors kept pressing for a second goal, but Zlex Khangjarakpam Mangang made a crucial sliding challenge to thwart another dangerous attack. Nevertheless, TRAU struck again against the flow of the game.
In the 60th minute, the home team launched a rapid counter-attack from the right, and Buyamayum converted the move into his second goal, putting TRAU ahead once more. In response, Indian Navy sent more players forward in search of an equalizer. Tajuddin made a vital save in the 65th minute, brilliantly deflecting a long-range shot that was heading for the crossbar.
Shortly after, TRAU’s goalkeeper was called into action again as Indian Navy intensified their efforts to equalize. In the dying moments of the match, the sailors continued to send crosses into the penalty area, but TRAU’s defense remained resolute.
Despite Indian Navy’s persistent attacks, they could not find a second goal, and TRAU secured a hard-fought victory. This win concluded TRAU’s Durand Cup campaign on a positive note. In a match dominated for long stretches by the sailors, Buyamayum’s finishing and Tajuddin’s goalkeeping ultimately proved decisive.
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