Durand Cup 2025: Mridul Doley hat-trick fires FC Raengdai past TRAU 4-3 in Imphal
Synopsis
FC Raengdai, playing only their second-ever Durand Cup fixture, stunned TRAU 4-3 on their home turf in Imphal — with Mridul Doley's hat-trick deciding a seven-goal thriller that swung four times. The debutants now sit top of Group D with a perfect six points, making them one of the most surprising stories of the 135th edition.
Key Takeaways
FC Raengdai defeated TRAU FC 4-3 in a Group D match of the 135th Durand Cup at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium, Imphal on 3 August .
Mridul Doley scored a hat-trick — goals in the 14th , 24th , and 79th minutes — to seal the win.
FC Raengdai top Group D with 6 points from 2 matches , making this only their second-ever Durand Cup appearance.
TRAU sit third on 1 point from 2 games; Neroca are second on 1 point from 1 game.
An own goal by Lanchungrei Pamei (67th min) and a goal by Afdal Varikkodan (47th min) briefly levelled the contest for TRAU.
FC Raengdai continued their stunning debut campaign in the 135th Durand Cup, defeating Tiddim Road Athletic Union (TRAU) FC 4-3 in a breathless Group D clash at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium in Imphal on Monday, 3 August. Mridul Doley was the architect of the victory, completing a hat-trick to seal a result that sends the debutants to the top of the group.
Match Summary
FC Raengdai took an early stranglehold on the contest, with Doley opening the scoring in the 14th minute after Khaidem Amarjit Singh dispossessed Khunjamayum Raj Singh and released him on the left. Doley cut inside and finished beyond goalkeeper Sapam Nongpoknganba Singh. A near-identical move produced the second goal ten minutes later — Seila Toure lost the ball to Amarjit, who found Doley on the burst; Doley held off Ronaldo Wairokpam and volleyed into the bottom corner.
Chanam Akash Meitei pulled one back for TRAU four minutes before half-time with a long-range effort that beat a diving Kamei Pantiga. But Chongtham Kishan Singh restored the two-goal cushion in first-half stoppage time, curling a shot — with the faintest of deflections — into the top corner.
TRAU's Comeback and Raengdai's Response
TRAU came out with urgency after the break. Within two minutes of the restart, an aerial ball caught Pantiga off an awkward bounce; his attempted save diverted it to Afdal Varikkodan, whose header crossed the line to make it 3-2. The contest was levelled a second time in the 67th minute when Ansumana Kromah failed to make clean contact with Raj's cross, and the ball cannoned off Lanchungrei Pamei and into his own net.
Raengdai refused to retreat. In the 79th minute, Kishan delivered a corner of real quality and Doley rose to power home a header — his third goal of the evening — restoring the lead for the final time. TRAU pressed in search of a third equaliser but could not find a way through, and Raengdai held firm to claim all three points.
Group D Standings
The result sends FC Raengdai to the top of Group D with six points from two matches — a remarkable start for a side playing only its second-ever Durand Cup fixture. Neroca sit second on one point from a single outing, while TRAU are third, also on one point but with two games played. Indian Navy occupy fourth place without a win.
The Atmosphere at Khuman Lampak
The Khuman Lampak Main Stadium was heaving throughout, and while TRAU carried the greater name recognition in Manipuri football, a sizeable section of the crowd appeared to adopt Raengdai as a second home side — cheering every touch in the TRAU half. Notably, this is only the second time Raengdai have appeared in the Durand Cup, yet they have now beaten one of Manipur's most established clubs on its own ground.
What's Next
With the group stage far from complete, the standings remain fluid. Raengdai's early points tally gives them a significant buffer, but the competition's history is littered with sides that peaked too soon. All eyes will be on how TRAU respond in their remaining fixtures, and whether Raengdai can sustain this level against stronger opposition ahead.
Point of View
Unburdened by expectation, outplaying an established regional name on its own ground. But the more instructive question is what this result reveals about TRAU: a side that conceded the same structural weakness three times in a single half, losing possession in their own defensive third on each occasion Raengdai scored. For the 135th Durand Cup to mean something beyond nostalgia, moments like this — a debutant topping their group at the halfway mark — need wider broadcast reach and consistent coverage. Indian club football's grassroots depth is real; its visibility infrastructure is not.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of FC Raengdai vs TRAU in the 135th Durand Cup?
FC Raengdai defeated TRAU FC 4-3 in a Group D match of the 135th Durand Cup at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium in Imphal on 3 August. Mridul Doley's hat-trick was the decisive contribution in a match that was level twice.
Who scored the hat-trick for FC Raengdai?
Mridul Doley scored the hat-trick for FC Raengdai, netting in the 14th, 24th, and 79th minutes. His final goal — a powerful header from a Chongtham Kishan Singh corner — sealed the win after TRAU had levelled at 3-3.
Where does FC Raengdai stand in the Durand Cup Group D table?
FC Raengdai lead Group D with six points from two matches after this win. Neroca are second on one point from one game, TRAU third on one point from two games, and Indian Navy fourth without a win.
Is FC Raengdai a new team in the Durand Cup?
Yes, FC Raengdai are debutants in the Durand Cup, and this was only their second-ever fixture in the competition. Their six-point haul from two matches is one of the most impressive starts by a first-time entrant in recent editions.
What were TRAU's goals in the match?
TRAU's goals came from Chanam Akash Meitei (just before half-time), Afdal Varikkodan (47th minute), and an own goal by Lanchungrei Pamei (67th minute). Despite levelling twice, they could not find a fourth goal after Doley's 79th-minute header.
