Imphal: Local sides Tiddim Road Athletic Union FC (TRAU FC) and North Eastern Re-Organising Cultural Association Football Club (NEROCA FC) will face each other in the ‘Imphal Derby’ in the Group F opener of the 134th IndianOil Durand Cup as Asia’s oldest football tournament returns to Manipur after a gap of two years.
The match will kick-off on Monday at 4 pm at the Khuman Lampak Stadium.
All 43 matches of the 134th IndianOil Durand Cup will be broadcast LIVE on the Sony Sports Network (Sony Ten2 HD) as well as livestreamed on the SonyLiv OTT platform.
NEROCA FC, led by head coach Gyan Moyon, will enter the match with recent momentum having defeated TRAU FC 2-1 in their last encounter in the I-League 2 in April 2025. The other fixture in I-League 2 ended in a 1-1 draw. The club, which was founded in 1965, has been a pioneering force in Northeast Indian football and became the first club from the region to reach the final of the Durand Cup. Despite their relegation from the I-League to I-League 2 in the 2023-24 season, NEROCA has retained their head coach and undergone intense preparation for this tournament.
TRAU FC, under the guidance of head coach Saran Singh, will be determined to avenge their recent defeat and get their campaign off to a positive start. The Tiddim Road Athletic Union, established in 1954, has been a consistent performer in Manipur football, having won the CC Meet and state league titles multiple times. The Red Python will be looking to utilize their experience and fighting spirit to overcome their city rivals in this crucial Group F opener.
The historical rivalry between these two Manipuri giants has produced memorable encounters over the years, with both teams sharing a combined 21 major honors – 10 for NEROCA and 11 for TRAU. In their head-to-head record since 2020, NEROCA holds the advantage having won 7 out of 11 encounters, with TRAU winning only 2 matches and 2 ending in draws. However, derby matches often produce unexpected results, and both teams will be fully aware that past records count for little in such high-stakes encounters.
The Group F also features Indian Navy Football Team and Real Kashmir FC, making it a competitive group where every point will be crucial for qualification to the knockout stages. Six group winners and two best second-placed teams across all groups will advance to the quarterfinals, adding extra pressure on both teams to secure a positive result in their opening fixture.
The return of the Durand Cup to Imphal has generated tremendous excitement among the local football fraternity, with the trophy tour conducted on July 10 drawing significant crowds and media attention. The passionate football supporters of Manipur are expected to create an electrifying atmosphere at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium, providing the perfect backdrop for this historic derby.
Both TRAU FC and NEROCA FC will be looking to secure all three points in this crucial Group F opener, as a strong start could set the tone for their entire campaign in Asia’s oldest football tournament. With local pride and tournament progression at stake, tomorrow’s Imphal Derby promises to be a humdinger of an encounter that will captivate football fans across the region.
