62nd CC Meet-2019 TRAU FC earn semi-final ticket with 1-0 win against Rajbari AC
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 31 2019: TRAU FC completed the semi-final line up of the 62nd Sir Churachand Singh Memorial Football Tournament-2019 with a narrow 1-0 victory against Guwahati based team, Rajbari AC at Mapal Kangjeibung today in the last quarter final match.

Shahabaaz Khan who headed home the winner lately, was adjudged man of the match and feted with a cash prize of Rs 5,000 along with a citation sponsored Future Football Promoter.

The game was indeed a tense affair and saw the two sides lose a man each on either side of the break.

62nd CC Meet-2019 TRAU FC earn semi-final ticket with 1-0 win against Rajbari AC

The referee was constantly forced to check the two aggressive sides with close eyes the game throughout and in an unexpected sight Rajbari AC players marched out of the field in protest against referee's decision to award a penalty around the middle portion of the second half.

Rajbari AC suffered a big blow as the team lost its captain and defender, Taibanganba early in the 7th minute for denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity when TRAU's striker, Princewill Emeka was one step away from strike inside the box.

The straight red however drew shouts and resentment from Rajbari AC's fans as it was a bit hard for them to digest the decision.

Although the local team had numerical superiority and dominated the possession, the first half ended goalless.

The Kwakeithel outfit were entered the field with more purpose in the second and created more chances riding on the numerical strength and better understanding and they almost had the lead when Princewill Emeka was fouled inside the Rajbari AC box and the controversial penalty was awarded.

But, Princewill Emeka who took the shot from the spot had to see Rajbari AC keeper Diwash Sweresthi come to his team rescue with a fine save and denied TRAU's bid to take lead.

The save greatly boosted the morale of the Guwahati side and soon it was TRAU FC's turn to lose Netrajit with a straight red for his vicious challenge while trying to contain advancing Rajbari AC's Stephan Kyrsian in the 68th minute inside the box.

Eventually the two sides were on level terms and tension grew stronger with two teams unable to open up the account.

The wait for the breakthrough however ended in the 82nd minute when TRAU's defender Shahabaaz made good use of his height to glance home a header following a corner kick taken by playmaker K Phalguni, that came flying at the right place.

Rajbari AC laboured hard to pull level in the remaining few minutes but their efforts went abegging as TRAU defense stood firm to deny any change in the scoreline.