2nd Division League Final Round: Matchday 5

A second half stoppage time goal saw TRAU FC pick up a win over Ozone FC and in the process clinch promotion and the 2nd Division League title with a game to spare. They will compete in the I-League next season and are the second team from Manipur (NEROCA FC is the first) in the league.

Chhinga Veng FC hit Lonestar Kashmir for a six

Saturday, May 18, 2019: Chhinga Veng FC 6-1 Lonestar Kashmir

MS Dawngliana scored a brace today

Picture Credit: Chhinga Veng FC

Chhinga Veng kept their 2nd Division League title hopes alive and made up some goal difference over table-toppers Chhinga Veng FC after inflicting a tennis scoreline over Lonestar Kashmir. In the end, the result did not end up making a difference after TRAU’s win today.

The hosts started the game with blistering pace and had Lonestar Kashmir on the back foot right from the start. The opening goal for Chhinga Veng came in the 32nd minute via an own goal. The Lonestar defender Gagandeep Singh failed to sort his feet to a square ball from the right flank and managed to put it in his own net.

Minutes later, Chhinga Veng doubled their lead (35′) after a free kick by Malsawmtluanga was met by a bullet header from Laldinpuia in the box. The home side added a third after being awarded a penalty in the 39th minute – MS Dawngliana converted from the spot to give his side an unassailable 3-0 lead going into half-time.

Chhinga Veng showed no signs of letting up in the second half and added a fourth after Vanlalbiaa Chhangte was released into space with a great through ball and he found a way past the keeper. A ball behind the defence helped Lalliansanga score a fifth (86′) and MS Dawngliana found the net in stoppage time to cap off the sixth goal.

Lonestar Kashmir did get a consolation goal through the Nigerian Hamza Auta in the 87th minute.

Chhinga Veng will travel to meet table-toppers TRAU FC on May 25, but the match will be a dead rubber after TRAU clinched the title in the other Matchday 5 game.

TRAU FC are the 2nd Division League Champions!

Sunday, May 19, 2019: TRAU FC 2-1 Ozone FC

A goal in the dying minutes of the second half by the Nigerian Joseph Olaleye helped TRAU FC to a win over Ozone FC. The win hands TRAU the 2nd Division League title and promotion to the I-League next season with a game to spare. TRAU have been in exceptional form in the Final Round and have won all five of their matches so far.

The first half between the two teams was keenly contested but no goals resulted from it. In the second half, the Nigerian captain Princewill Emeka opened the scoring for TRAU FC in the 56th minute. A clearance up field from their box by the TRAU defence wasn’t dealt with by the Ozone FC players – Princewill got the ball under control ran down the pitch and slotted it past the keeper. Princewill is the top goal scorer in the tournament with 10 goals.

Ozone FC would pull a goal back in the 88th minute through Sabeeth Sathyan to level the scores. The Ozone captain did not have much to do with the goal after TRAU FC’s attempted clearance from inside their own box took a deflection off the Ozone skipper and went into the goal.

With a couple of minutes left for the end of normal time, it looked like the next set of matches (Matchday 6) would decide the 2nd Division League winner. But Josesph Olaleye looked like he couldn’t wait for that long – The Nigerian with literally the last kick of the game (90+3′) smashed the ball into the net from a corner to send the players and the sizeable home support into raptures!

We have been trying for this promotion since the last two years. So, obviously, we are delighted. We deserve this. We will try our level best to go through I-League and challenge other teams also. 99 percent of the players are home-grown. They play with a fighting spirit, commitment and represent the entire state of Manipur. Our boys are committed and play with their mind and soul for Manipur. Phulen Meitei, Secretary, TRAU FC

FINAL ROUND GROUP TABLE after Matchday 5

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