Shillong, May 19: TRAU FC became the seventh North East club to qualify for the I-League (or whatever takes its place in 2019-20) after assuring themselves of top spot in the final round of the Second Division League with a game to spare.
TRAU – the Tiddim Road Athletic Union – follow in the footsteps of fellow North East sides Shillong Lajong (Meghalaya), United Sikkim (Sikkim), Rangdajied United (Meghalaya), Royal Wahingdoh (Meghalaya), Aizawl FC (Mizoram) and NEROCA (Manipur), who have all played in the I-League. Only Aizawl and NEROCA remain in the competition, however.
TRAU were utterly dominant in the final round, winning their opening five fixtures, beating Mizoram-based Chhinga Veng, Lonestar Kashmir (twice) and Ozone FC (twice).
They defeated Ozone today in Imphal 2-1 with a stoppage time winner to give them 15 points after five rounds, which leaves Chhinga Veng (10 points from five games) unable to catch them up.
However, TRAU’s first round campaign was shaky and they qualified for the final round only on the last day when they defeated Chhinga Veng 3-2 to secure second place in Group C.
TRAU took part in last season’s Second Division, where they were grouped with Shillong-based Langsning. The Manipur club topped their group but finished fourth and last in the final round.
(Photo: Facebook/TRAU FC)
