Doley hat-trick steers FC Raengdai to 4-3 win over TRAU in Durand Cup Group D

FC Raengdai defeated home favourites Tiddim Road Athletic Union (TRAU FC) 4-3 at Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal on Monday in a Group D match of the 135th Durand Cup. Mridul Doley scored a hat-trick to secure the victory.

The match formed part of FC Raengdai’s debut campaign in the tournament, with the newcomer producing another eye-catching performance in Imphal. TRAU entered the contest as the home favourites.

Mridul Doley struck in the 14th, 24th and 79th minutes, with his first two goals coming before the half-hour mark. His late finish ultimately decided the seven-goal encounter.

Chanam Akash Meitei reduced TRAU’s deficit with a 43rd-minute goal, and Chongtham Kishan Singh restored Raengdai’s two-goal cushion in first-half stoppage time (45+3). Afdal Varikkodan scored soon after the restart in the 47th minute and an own goal by Lanchungrei Pamei in the 67th minute levelled the match at 3-3.

At the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati, debutant FC1 recovered from a deficit to beat Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC 2-1 despite finishing the match with 10 men. Joseph Mayowa Olaleye put Karbi Anglong ahead, Shakir Ahmad Sheikh equalised in the 40th minute and Hayat Bashir put FC1 in front in the 53rd; FC1’s defender Tetty Armando Yoko was sent off with 30 minutes of action still remaining.

The results: Group D (Imphal): TRAU FC 3 (Chanam Akash Meitei 43, Afdal Varikkodan 47, Lanchungrei Pamei 67-og) lost to FC Raengdai 4 (Mridul Doley 14, 24, 79, Chongtham Kishan Singh 45+3). Group F (Guwahati): Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC 1 (Joseph Olaleye 27) lost to FC 1 2 (Shakir Ahmad Sheikh 40, Hayat Bashir 53).

The victory was FC Raengdai’s second successive win in the competition and moved them to the top of Group D with six points.