TRAU FC signed off their Durand Cup campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Indian Navy FT in their final Group D fixture at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium, Imphal, on Sunday, 9 August. Afridi Buyamayum was the hero, netting twice — including a second-half counter-attack finish — to seal the win despite the Sailors dominating possession and creating a staggering 26 attempts on goal.

Buyamayum Opens and Closes the Scoring

TRAU went ahead as early as the 16th minute when Buyamayum found space outside the penalty area and curled a right-footed effort into the top corner, leaving goalkeeper Bhaskar Roy with no chance. It was TRAU's first attempt of the match and a stunning way to break the deadlock against the run of play.

Indian Navy responded with relentless pressure, peppering the TRAU goal with 12 attempts in the first half alone, six of them on target, but could not find a way through before the interval.

Navy Level, But TRAU Hit Back

The Sailors needed just 16 seconds after the restart to equalise. Khullakpam Zahir Khan capitalised on a defensive lapse, drove through the centre of the TRAU backline, and calmly slotted home to make it 1-1.

TRAU, however, struck against the run of play once more. In the 60th minute, a swift counter-attack down the right ended with Buyamayum completing his brace and restoring the Manipur club's lead. It was a clinical finish from a side that managed just eight shots in total — both on-target efforts finding the net.

Tajuddin Stands Firm as Navy Pile On

With the match on the line, Indian Navy committed more players forward and intensified their search for an equaliser. TRAU goalkeeper Tajuddin produced a crucial acrobatic save in the 65th minute, tipping a deflected long-range effort over the crossbar. He was called into action repeatedly in the closing stages as the Sailors sent wave after wave of crosses into the penalty area.

Defender Zlex Khangjrakpam Mangang also contributed a timely sliding challenge to repel a dangerous Navy attack. Despite Indian Navy finishing with 26 total attempts and 15 on target, TRAU's rearguard held firm to secure all three points.

Final Group D Standings

The result saw TRAU finish second in Group D with four points from three matches, while Indian Navy ended their campaign on three points. Neither side advanced to the quarter-finals. Debutants FC Raengdai topped the group and booked their place in the last eight — a remarkable achievement for a first-time Durand Cup entrant.

For TRAU, the win offered a morale-boosting end to a campaign that ultimately fell short of the knockout stage. Buyamayum's clinical finishing and Tajuddin's resilience between the posts were the defining factors in a match the Manipur side were far from expected to control.