FC Raengdai stun TRAU 4-3 in Durand Cup Group D at Khuman Lampak

FC Raengdai’s debutant run in the 135th IndianOil Durand Cup took another sharp turn on Monday as they beat TRAU FC 4-3 in a Group D match at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium in Imphal. The game swung repeatedly, with both teams trading advantages and keeping the contest open until the final stages.

Doley’s hat-trick turns the tide

Raengdai started with confidence and took the lead in the 14th minute. Mridul Doley finished after being set up from the left, cutting inside before scoring past TRAU’s goalkeeper. They doubled their advantage about ten minutes later, again through Doley, who volleyed home after a turnover in TRAU’s defence.

TRAU responded strongly just before half-time. Chanam Akash Meitei pulled one back in the 40th minute, and later in stoppage time Chongtham Kishan Singh curled a shot that took a slight deflection and found the top corner. The first half ended with Raengdai seemingly in control, but the momentum did not stay with them for long.

After the break, TRAU opened the scoring early. In the 50th minute, an aerial ball caught the goalkeeper off guard and Afdal headed it across the line to level the match. TRAU equalised again in the 67th minute, when Lanchungrei Pamei turned the ball into his own net after a pressure sequence, restoring parity for the second time in the evening.

Last word in the 79th minute

With the score tied, Doley made the difference. He completed his hat-trick in the 79th minute to put Raengdai back in front. TRAU pressed for an equaliser, but the final score stayed 4-3 in favour of the debutants.

The result lifted FC Raengdai to the top of Group D with six points from two matches. Neroca were placed second with one point from a single outing. TRAU remained third on one point after two games, while Indian Navy occupied fourth without a win. The group table is expected to stay tight as the tournament moves forward.