I-League 3 : Sekhar Tensubam scores late to fire TRAU FC into playoffs
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 06 2026: TRAU FC posted a dramatic 1-0 win in a highly charged top of the Group B table contest of the I-League 3 here at SAI Turf Ground, Takyel and qualified for the 6-team playoffs all scheduled in Imphal.

The lone goal that sealed the third win for TRAU FC came from Sekhar Tensubam who deftly beat the Samaleswari Sporting custodian Priyant Kumar Singh in the 89th minute.

Seeking a win to qualify for the playoffs, both teams made frantic efforts from the beginning and saw four players picking up yellow cards in the opening half.

The situation remained tense after the restart and both sides toiled hard to find the winner before they had to play more cautiously towards the end as four more players were cautioned with yellow cards.

And when the match looked to settle in a goalless draw, Sekhar Tensubam managed to pull off a stunner one minute away from time and dashed Sambalpur based Samaleswari Sporting's hope of making it to the playoffs.

With the win, TRAU FC joined Group C winners KLASA FC and Group A runners up FC Raengdai in the playoffs.

The other teams who qualified for the playoffs are Group A winners Sunrise Club Orissa, Group D winners Baghpat FC and Group C runners up BLG-The Diamond Rock FC.

Earlier in the day, Clube De Salgaocar played out a 1 - 1 draw with Zinc Football Academy.

The first half went barren until Anshid Na found the breakthrough for Zinc Football Academy in the 83rd minute only to be cancelled out by Joshua D'silva of Clube De Salgaocar three minutes later.

The playoffs will begin on May 16 with KLASA FC taking on Baghpat FC, Sunrise Club Orissa playing TRAU FC and FC Raengdai facing BLG-The Diamond Rock FC.

Match timing and venue are, however, yet to be announced.

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