Indian Navy started brightly and controlled much of the game, creating a remarkable 26 attempts on goal. However, TRAU were far more clinical in front of goal and made their opportunities count when it mattered.

The breakthrough came in the 16th minute when Buyamayum found the back of the net to give TRAU an early advantage. Indian Navy continued to push forward but struggled to turn their possession and chances into an equaliser before the interval.

The Sailors finally found their response immediately after the restart. Khullakpam Zahir Khan struck in the 46th minute to bring Indian Navy level and set up an intense second half.

TRAU, however, refused to let the momentum slip away. Buyamayum stepped up once again in the 60th minute, producing a spectacular finish to restore the Manipur side’s lead and complete his brace.

Indian Navy continued to throw everything forward in search of another equaliser, but TRAU goalkeeper Tajuddin produced an inspired performance between the posts. The goalkeeper made several important saves as the Sailors piled on the pressure, helping TRAU protect their slender advantage until the final whistle.

The victory saw TRAU FC finish second in Group D with four points from three matches, while Indian Navy ended their campaign with three points. Despite finishing second, TRAU’s points tally was not enough to take them through to the quarter-finals, with debutants FC Raengdai topping the group and advancing to the knockout stage.

For TRAU, the result provided a positive finish to their Durand Cup campaign, while Buyamayum’s brace ensured the Manipur outfit signed off with a memorable victory against a dominant but ultimately wasteful Indian Navy side.

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After suffering defeat in their opening fixture, Indian Navy entered the contest determined to respond positively, while NEROCA FC looked to build on their encouraging start. The match began at a high tempo, with both teams pressing aggressively and battling fiercely in midfield. Challenging ground conditions made fluent football difficult, resulting in a tightly contested opening where neither side was able to dominate possession.

NEROCA came close to opening the scoring midway through the first half after a clever move involving Ngathem Imarson Meitei and Modou Mbengue. The Senegalese forward burst into the penalty area before attempting to square the ball across goal, but his delivery was just beyond the reach of David Singh. Mbengue also tested goalkeeper Bhaskar Roy from distance, though the Indian Navy custodian dealt comfortably with the effort.

The breakthrough arrived midway through the opening half through a moment of quality from the Sailors. Vijay Marandi floated a perfectly weighted chipped pass over the NEROCA defence for Roshan Panna, who showed great composure to round goalkeeper Penand Singh before calmly finishing into an empty net to hand Indian Navy a deserved lead.

The Sailors controlled proceedings for the remainder of the first half, keeping possession well and preventing NEROCA from creating meaningful opportunities. The hosts were largely restricted to crosses from wide areas, all of which were comfortably dealt with by the Navy defence as the visitors carried a 1-0 advantage into the break.

Indian Navy continued to dictate the tempo after the restart, moving the ball confidently through midfield and creating another promising opportunity when Zahir Khan released Vijay Marandi inside the box. However, the forward dragged his effort wide of the target.

Their persistence was rewarded just after the hour mark through an inspired piece of individual brilliance from E. Muhammed Inayath. The midfielder danced past two defenders before driving towards the byline and attempting a cross. Instead, the ball looped over the backtracking goalkeeper and nestled into the far corner, doubling Indian Navy’s advantage in spectacular fashion.

NEROCA pushed forward in search of a way back into the contest and enjoyed a few promising moments late in the game. Substitute Sridarth Nongmeikapam squandered a golden opportunity from close range following a goalmouth scramble, while Chabungbam Linky Meitei also failed to hit the target after finding space inside the penalty area.

At the other end, Indian Navy looked dangerous on the counterattack, with substitute Pangambam Naoba Meitei causing constant problems down the right flank. The youngster nearly added a third goal himself before creating another chance for Sreyas V.G., only for Penand Singh to produce two outstanding saves in quick succession.

Indian Navy comfortably managed the closing stages to seal a deserved 2-0 victory and bounce back strongly from their opening defeat. The result lifts the Sailors to second place in Group D and gives them valuable momentum heading into their remaining fixtures, while NEROCA FC will look to recover quickly as they continue their search for a first win of the campaign.

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Making their maiden appearance in the Durand Cup, the Manipuri outfit showcased composure, determination and defensive resilience to overcome a vastly experienced Indian Navy side featuring several players with Indian Super League and Indian Football League experience.

FC Raengdai made an energetic start and came close to taking the lead inside the opening three minutes. Mridul Doley timed his run perfectly to break into the penalty area but failed to make clean contact with his left-footed effort, allowing Indian Navy goalkeeper Bhaskar Roy to gather comfortably.

The Navy side gradually settled into the contest and began posing a threat from set-pieces. A long throw created confusion inside the Raengdai penalty area before the defence managed to clear the danger, while Wangkheimayum Sadananda Singh came within inches of opening the scoring with a deflected free-kick that drifted narrowly wide.

Indian Navy’s best opportunity of the opening half arrived just before the hydration break. Vijay Marandi and Roshan Panna combined brilliantly on the edge of the area before Panna slipped a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Sreyas V.G. The forward found himself unmarked inside the box but failed to generate enough power on his finish, allowing goalkeeper Kamei Pantiga to make a routine save.

With both teams creating six attempts each, neither side could find the breakthrough before half-time, leaving the contest delicately balanced heading into the interval.

FC Raengdai emerged with greater urgency after the restart following the introductions of Laishram Bikramjit Singh and Khaidem Amarjit Singh. The substitutions immediately added fresh energy as the debutants began to dominate proceedings.

Mridul Doley remained at the heart of every dangerous attack. First, he narrowly missed connecting with a teasing cross from P.M. Rakeveiche before squandering another golden opportunity moments later by blasting over the crossbar after a defensive mix-up inside the Indian Navy box.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 58th minute. Novin Gurung was dispossessed by the lively Doley, who burst into the penalty area before being brought down by the advancing Bhaskar Roy. Fortunately for FC Raengdai, the loose ball rolled perfectly into the path of substitute Khaidem Amarjit Singh, who calmly tapped into an empty net to score the club’s maiden Durand Cup goal and hand his side a historic lead.

With Indian Navy pushing bodies forward in search of an equaliser, spaces began to open at the other end. Raengdai almost doubled their advantage when another defensive lapse allowed Mridul Doley to race through on goal, but Bhaskar Roy produced an outstanding save with his outstretched leg to keep his team alive.

The closing stages saw relentless pressure from Indian Navy, who repeatedly delivered crosses into the penalty area in an attempt to force extra attacking opportunities. However, FC Raengdai’s backline stood firm, defending with discipline and determination to deny every aerial threat.

The home side could have wrapped up the contest deep into stoppage time when substitute Tingkaochun Gangmei was presented with an open goal after an unselfish pass from Amarjit Singh. Much to the disbelief of the home crowd, the forward failed to hit the target from close range.

Despite the late miss, it mattered little as FC Raengdai successfully negotiated five minutes of added time to seal a famous victory in front of a passionate home crowd. The result not only marked a dream start to their maiden Durand Cup campaign but also served as a statement of intent from the young Manipuri side, who combined fearless attacking football with resolute defending to earn one of the biggest results in the club’s history.

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