2nd Division League 2018-19 -- Ozone FC and TRAU FC win big on the first day of final round
THE FINAL ROUND OF THE 2nd Division League has kicked off, with the first matchday resulting in big wins for Ozone FC Bengaluru and Imphal's TRAU FC.
Ozone played Lonestar Kashmir at their home ground, the Bangalore Football Stadium. Fielding a heavyweight squad filled with players who have extensive experience of playing in the top division I-League, Ozone had a better grip on the match from the get go. Just before half-time, former Indian international C.S. Sabeeth scored to put them in the lead.
The former Mohun Bagan, FC Goa and Kerala Blasters player found the net again, just before the 70 minute mark, consolidating the lead for Ozone. Minutes later, midfielder Rinreithan Shaiza scored again, sealing a 3-0 victory for Ozone FC.
Meanwhile in Aizawl's Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Chhinga Veng FC hosted TRAU in the second encounter of the day. The first half was a tight, tense affair but just before half-time they got a penalty, which was calmly converted by former Mohammedan Sporting striker Princewill Emeka. Just after the hour mark, Joseph Olaleye scored, putting TRAU 0-2 ahead.
Chhinga Veng had brought on their only foreign player, Nigerian defender Godwin Quashiga, after half-time. It was he who brought them back in the game by finding the net with just 10 minutes left on the clock.
88 minutes in, TRAU brought on Yami Longvah on as a late substitute. And within a minute, the youngster found the net, becoming the only Indian to get his name on the scoresheet in this high-scoring 3-1 victory for TRAU FC.
The winning starts for TRAU and Ozone will be particularly impactful since the short final round, featuring just 4 clubs in a double leg home away battle spanning 6 rounds, will be a closely fought battle where one point or two may be the difference between promotion to the top flight I-League or remaining in the lower league.
