Imphal: RoundGlass Punjab FC (RGPFC) suffered their first loss of the campaign in the Hero I league 2022 – 2023 against Tiddim Road Athletic Union (TRAU) 2 – 0 played here at the Khuman Lampak Stadium. This ended RGPFC’s unbeaten start to the season. Buanthanglun Samte and Salam Johnson scored for the winners.
RGPFC coach Staikos Vergetis fielded a strong eleven with a focus on playing their usual high press strategy. Both teams were trying to create chances going forward and TRAU were able to play through the high press of RGPFC. Creating momentum and backed by their home crowd TRAU were looking dangerous going forward. The first goal came in 25th minute through a brilliant freekick from Buanthanglun Samte. He made full use of a dead ball situation from a promising position and struck a ferocious shot that gave RGPFC keeper Kiran Limbu no chance. After conceding, RGPFC started to push more in the TRAU half. The best chance for them came in the stoppage time of the first half. A free kick from Juan Mera was saved by TRAU keeper Bishorjit Singh but the rebound fell for Deepak Devrani whose shot came back off the post.
In the second half, Staikos Vergetis introduced top scorer Luka Majcen to increase the attacking prowess of the team but it was TRAU who were playing all the attacking football. They had a good chance to double the lead but Baoringdao Bodo scuffed his shot over the bar. TRAU found the result for their efforts in the 54th minute. A good run down the left by goal scorer B. Samte found an unmarked Salam Johnson on the edge of the box who finished with a pile driver of a shot stunning the defence and the keeper. RGPFC could not make any inroads in the TRAU’s defence as coach Nandakumar Singh brought in fresh legs and shut shop on RGPFC. Komron Tursunov, who was brilliant throughout the match could have increased TRAU’s scoreline but his shot came back of the post. Buanthanglun Samte was adjudged the Hero of the Match.
RGPFC have 10 points from five matches while TRAU have 7 points after playing six matches. RGPFC will play their next match against table toppers Real Kashmir FC who are unbeaten this season away at the TRC Ground, Srinagar.
