Afridi celebrates after scoring for TRAU against Indian Navy during their Group D match of the 135th Durand Cup at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium in Imphal on Sunday, August 9, 2026.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Afridi Buyamayum scored twice as TRAU FC beat Indian Navy 2-1 in its final Group ‘D’ match of the Durand Cup at the Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal on Sunday.
Even as Navy dominated the proceedings and kept TRAU under pressure with 26 attempts on goal, the local outfit fought grittily, thanks to the inspired performance of its goalkeeper Tajuddin, to gather three points.
It finished its group engagements with four points at the second spot, while Navy managed three points to be third. Both sides exited from the tournament, while debutant group-topper FC Raengdai moved into the last-eight.
Navy exerted pressure from the start, while TRAU defended solidly.
Afridi unleashed a stunning right-footer from outside the box to draw first blood in the 16th minute against the run of play.
Navy’s aggression, including 12 attempts out of which six were on target, in the first half did not produce the desired result.
However, it levelled the scores within seconds of resumption. Khullakpam Zahir Khan capitalised on a defensive lapse to slot the ball in.
TRAU withstood the pressure to restore its lead through a counter-attack as Afridi Buyamayum completed his brace in the 60th minute.
The result: At Imphal: Group D: TRAU FC 2 (Afridi Buyamayum 16, 60) bt Indian Navy 1 (Khullakpam Zahir Khan 46).
Published – August 09, 2026 08:23 pm IST
