Local favourites Tiddim Road Athletic Union FC (TRAU) overcame a goal deficit to outclass Army Red Football Team (ARFT) 2-1 in their Group C clash to register their first win in the Durand Cup here at the Khuman Lampak Stadium.
Army Team that looked the better in the first half and went into the break with a 1-0 lead, courtesy of a Liton Shil strike, but goals from Baoringdao Bodo and L Milan in the final nine minutes of regulation time, completed a fine comeback performance by TRAU. The result though makes it tougher for both teams to make it through to the knockouts.
The Army Red team looked the better side in the first half, creating better and more chances at goal.
The first good chance came to TRAU when Khanngam got the ball at the edge of the six-yard box but their lack of proper control saw him miss a brilliant opportunity to take the lead.
In the 20th minute, it was the Reds’ who missed the chance of going ahead as Deepak Singh, who had a great game on the right flank, delivered a quality cross but Shubham Rana’s header was just off target. Four minutes later, Red’s dominance took close to draw first blood only for Khongsai, who missed from close range.
They finally broke through in the 35th minute of the game, thanks to fantastic individual enterprise shown by their lone striker Liton Shil.
He was played on about 30 yards out from goal by Deepak from the right flank. Thereafter he beat his marker for pace, to burst inside the box and take a first-time right-footer on the run.
Jedidi Haokip in the TRAU goal brought off a save, but Liton was at hand again to pounce on the rebound and slot it into the back of the goal. It was his second of the tournament.
Army Red finished the half with the lead as well as the larger share of possession.
In the second half, TRAU continued to attack with pace but was lacking in creativity in the final third.
The Army Red team seemed to be wanting to defend the one-goal advantage and were not creating as much as they were in the first.
TRAU’s tireless running, however, finally gave them a new leash of life they were looking for as late as the 81st minute of the game.
Kamardeep’s attempted clearance from deep inside the Reds defence struck a TRAU attacker and rebounded inside the box in front of Baoringdao Bodo who took a fine first touch and powered a shot in between the legs of Army keeper Bhabindra Thakuri, who had not much to do till then in the game.
The lead came Trau’s way in the 89th by Roshan Singh from the right flank.