IMPHAL, September 4: TRAU’s MSL campaign today receive a major boost up after the team thrashed defending and four times champion NISA by 3-0 today.
It may be mentioned that the six trophies of the MSL are distributed between the two sides, with NISA already winning four and TRAU winning the remaining two.
Coming back from a defeat against newcomer KSC just a few days back, TRAU started on an attacking note and controlled the ball for most of the first half today.
Playing the 11th match of the 7th edition of the MSL at the Imphal Mapal Kangjeibung, TRAU leaded today’s match by 2-0 at the end of the first half.
TRAU had control over their opponents throughout the match, however, the NISA players seem to have strengthened themselves in the second half; however the resurrection was limited for only about 10 minutes of the second half.
The first goal was scored by S Surchand of TRAU from a deflection from the NISA custodian N Bishorjit in the 27th minute.
Custodian Bishorjit failed to catch a goal attempt from TRAU striker N Dhananjoy and reflected the ball, which Surchand did not fail to chip in to the nets.
Th Premkumar’s header in the 38th minute extended the goal margin to 2-0. Premkumar headed L Bikram Singh’s corner kick home to score the second goal and pile up more pressure upon the defending champions.
S Surchand scored his second of the match in the last few additional minutes to end the match 3-0.
Surchand of TRAU and Th Borish Singh of NISA were cautioned by the referee in the 24th and 57th minute respectively.
In his post-match briefing, TRAU coach M Ratan said the team’s last defeat had encouraged his players to today’s win. He said he had instructed his players that after the KSC defeat, this one against NISA is a must win game and the players have proved themselves today.
He expressed that his players played exactly like he wanted them to play today.
He urged the people of the state to encourage their local teams to bring development of the sport in the state.
NISA coach, Kh Ratan Singh said his captain failed to control his players while his players failed to perform like he had expected.
He grunted that his team failed as a team today and that his young payers failed to mentally control the match.
