Imphal, December 22: A pulsating duel is on the cards when former champions Tiddim Road Athletic Union (Trau) and debutant Youth Welfare Club (YWC), Thambalkhong clash in the final of the 48th All India Sir Churachand Singh KCSICBE Memorial Invitation Football Tournament at Mapal Kangjeibung tomorrow afternoon.

The final match slated to start from 1.30 pm will be graced by the presence of Governor Dr SS Sidhu and Sports Minister Govindas Konthoujam as the chief guest and president respectively.

Having defeated last year's runners-up Citizens' Club in the semi final four time champion Trau will be pumped up for tomorrow's summit clash to end the long title drought as the last time Trau lifted the title was in 1981.Besides being a finalists on 11 occasions Trau won the competition in 1960, 1961, 1974 and 1981.On the other hand, YWC ventured at the popularly known CC Meet in 2001 and qualified for the prestigious tournament two years later as well before making its maiden entry to this year's final with a 2-1 win over formidable MPSC and drawing 1-1 against defending champion Southern Sporting Union, Singjamei in the quarter final league phase.

The latter two again clashed in the semi final which YWC won 2-1 even though the contest was marred by controversy with SSU disputing a particular referee decision.

YWC qualified for the current competition as champion team of Imphal East district league.

Even though coaches of both side exuded confidence of annexing the title, Trau's chief trainer Th Bhadra talking to The Sangai Express regretted that number one goalkeeper Rabikanta and match maker Robin would have to watch from the gallery due to club transfer wranglings.

Inspite of ruing the fact of late commencement of the Imphal West district league giving little recovery time to injured players, the recently AFC-C licence acquired coach expressed confidence of Trau restoring its lost glory in tomorrow's match.

Similar sentiment was expressed by YWC coach Dr Ksh Birla who confided to this reporter of leading the Thambalkhong side to its maiden triumph tomorrow afternoon.

In addition to confidence upon the defenders to foil the Trau attacks, Birla relied on best scorer award aspirant Lungminlal Khongsai to deliver the goods when it matters most.

Deploring that time space between the crucial semi final and the summit showdown was very limited, Birla nevertheless pinned hope on the hardworking mid-fielders to not only check the Trau onslaughts but constantly feed the strikers spearheaded by Lungminlal.

Compared to deploring possible absence of defender Pouranmei for second consecutive yellow card booking in as many match, the Thambalkhong trainer exulted at recovery of experienced striker Ibotombi to bolster YWC attack.

While the final match of the oldest tournament in the entire North East India will be played at the historic Mapal Kangjeibung the only drawbacks of the tournament organiser can be the very fact that it will be, as usual, contested on uneven ground that could deny talented players to play to full potential.

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