Imphal, Aug 9 (IANS) Afridi Buyamayum scored twice, including a stunning second-half winner, as TRAU FC overcame sustained pressure from Indian Navy FT to secure a 2-1 victory in their final Group D fixture of the Durand Cup at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium here on Sunday.

Buyamayum opened the scoring in the 16th minute with a spectacular curling effort before Khullakpam Zahir Khan equalised just 16 seconds after the restart. Buyamayum restored TRAU’s lead in the 60th minute, and the Manipur side held on despite a relentless late assault from the Sailors.

Indian Navy dominated possession and finished with 26 attempts, including 15 on target, but TRAU’s defence and goalkeeper Tajuddin repeatedly denied them. TRAU, meanwhile, managed just eight shots and two on target — both of which found the net.

The result saw TRAU finish second in Group D with four points from three matches, while Indian Navy ended their campaign with three points. Neither side advanced to the quarter-finals. Debutants FC Raengdai topped the group and secured a place in the last eight.

Indian Navy controlled the opening exchanges and pushed TRAU deep into their own half. The Sailors created their first clear opening in the seventh minute, producing three successive attempts, but TRAU crowded the penalty area to withstand the pressure.

Against the run of play, TRAU broke the deadlock in the 16th minute. Buyamayum found space outside the box and curled a right-footed effort into the top corner, giving Bhaskar Roy no chance. It was TRAU’s first attempt of the match.

The goal gave TRAU greater confidence, although Indian Navy continued to dictate possession and probe from distance. The Sailors went into half-time with 12 attempts, six of them on target, but were unable to find a way through.

Indian Navy needed only seconds after the restart to level the contest. Khullakpam Zahir Khan capitalised on a lapse in the TRAU defence, drove through the centre and calmly finished to make it 1-1.

The Sailors continued to press for a second, with Zlex Khangjrakpam Mangang producing a timely sliding challenge to prevent another dangerous attack.

TRAU, however, once again struck against the run of play.

In the 60th minute, the hosts broke quickly on the right through a counter-attack, with Buyamayum finishing the move to complete his brace and put TRAU back in front.

Indian Navy responded by committing more players forward. Tajuddin then produced a crucial save in the 65th minute, acrobatically tipping a long-range effort over the crossbar after the shot took a dangerous deflection.

The TRAU goalkeeper was called into action again soon after as Indian Navy intensified their search for an equaliser. The Sailors continued to send crosses into the penalty area during the closing stages, but TRAU’s defence remained resolute.

Despite Indian Navy’s overwhelming attacking numbers, they could not find a second equaliser as TRAU held on for a hard-fought victory.

The win brought TRAU’s Durand Cup campaign to a positive conclusion, with Buyamayum’s finishing and Tajuddin’s goalkeeping ultimately making the difference in a match dominated by the Sailors for long periods.

–IANS

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