Durand Cup: Late Navy surge sink TRAU to reach quarterfinals
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 12 2025: Pintu Mahata and Sreyas VG scored as Indian Navy FT overcame a first-half deficit to edge past local favourites TRAU FC 2-1 at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium, sealing top spot in Group F and a place in the quarterfinals of the 134th IndianOil Durand Cup.

TRAU had taken the lead in the 29th minute through Moirangthem Nelson Singh, but Pintu's 87th-minute equaliser and Sreyas' decisive strike in the third minute of stoppage time ensured the Navy men topped the group with seven points, finishing ahead of Real Kashmir FC on six.

The opening exchanges were end-to-end, with Indian Navy displaying urgency and attacking intent.

The front three of Vijay Marandi, Roshan Panna and Sreyas VG linked effectively with midfielders Pintu Mahata and J Vijay to keep the TRAU defence on alert.

Durand Cup: Late Navy surge sink TRAU to reach quarterfinals

The hosts, however, looked dangerous on the counter, exploiting the spaces left by the Navy's adventurous forays forward.

TRAU broke the deadlock against the run of play in the 29th minute.

A long pass from Jenish Singh sailed over right -back Deny Singh and into the path of Yumnam Monis Singh, who drove into the box and squared the ball for Nelson Singh to finish clinically past Bhaskar Roy with his left foot.

The Navy side responded with sustained pressure, but TRAU's back line held firm, blocking shots and closing down space.

The visitors' final ball often lacked composure, and the efforts that did find the target were dealt with by goalkeeper Sapam Nongpoknganba Singh.

J Vijay came closest with a powerful low strike from distance, only for the keeper to palm it away.

Early in the second half, Bhaskar Roy was called into action, reacting sharply to punch away Afridi Buyamayum's close-range header.

Indian Navy continued to dominate possession and test the home side's resolve.

Adarsh Matummal nearly produced the goal of the tournament with a 40-yard free-kick that struck the inside of the post, with the rebound spectacularly saved by the goalkeeper.

Matummal continued to threaten from set pieces and long-range efforts, narrowly missing the target again in the closing minutes.

The breakthrough finally came in the 87th minute.

Sreyas VG slid a precise pass into Pintu Mahata, who, under pressure, toe-poked the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper to level the score.

The drama peaked deep into stoppage time.

In the third added minute, C Pradeesh delivered a looping left-footed cross into the box, where Sreyas met it acrobatically to score the winner, silencing the Imphal crowd and sealing the Navy's progression to the knockout stage.