Tura, June 24: The much-anticipated Tura Football League (TFL) 2026-27 got underway on Tuesday at the Government Boys Higher Secondary School (GBHSS) Playground in Chandmary, Tura, with two Second Division matches producing a total of 18 goals.
In the opening match of the season, Chada United Sports Association (CUSA) came from two goals down to register an emphatic 8-2 victory over Chisakgre Youth Club. Chisakgre YC made a dream start, scoring the first goal of the Tura Football League 2026-27 within five minutes of kick-off through Brillian Sangma (5’). Sangma struck again in the ninth minute to double his side’s advantage and put Chisakgre firmly in control of the contest.
CUSA, however, responded strongly. Bappul C. Marak pulled one back in the 16th minute before Inish M. Marak scored twice, in the 20th and 37th minutes, to turn the game around and give CUSA a 3-2 lead at the break.
The second half belonged entirely to CUSA as Donabell M. Marak added a fourth goal in the 51st minute. Balsan K. Sangma then found the net in the 58th and 74th minutes, while Thosaya A. Sangma scored a brace of his own in the 61st and 76th minutes to complete an impressive 8-2 victory for his side.
A’beng Youth Club and Greenwood play out 4-4 draw
The second match of the day proved to be a thrilling contest as A’beng Youth Club and Greenwood played out a dramatic 4-4 draw.
Played in heavy rain for most of the first half, both teams adopted an attacking approach and created several scoring opportunities despite the difficult conditions. The wet surface made short passing and dribbling challenging, forcing players to rely more on long balls and direct attacks. Yet the spectators were unable to move from their seats as the contest kept moving back and forth at every moment.
Greenwood drew the first blood in the 17th minute through Juel Marak, but A’beng YC responded five minutes later when Nenwell M. Marak found the equaliser in the 22nd minute. Juel Marak restored Greenwood’s lead in the 28th minute, only for Civillo Ch. Momin (29’) to respond almost immediately with an equaliser a minute later. Momin struck again in the 32nd minute to put A’beng YC ahead for the first time in the match.
Greenwood, however, refused to back down and turned the game around just before half-time. Rosan Sangma found the net in the 38th minute before Barikham Sangma (39’) scored a minute later, giving Greenwood a 4-3 lead at the break.
After the rain subsided in the second half, both teams continued to press forward in search of goals. A’beng YC eventually levelled through Civillo Ch. Momin in the 72nd minute, completing his hat-trick and ensuring the match ended in a 4-4 draw.
All matches in the league are being played over two halves of 40 minutes each.
The Second Division features 28 teams divided into seven groups of four teams each. Top two teams from the division will be promoted to the first division in the next season.
The First Division competition, meanwhile, will feature 10 teams split into Group A and Group B. The opening First Division fixture is scheduled for June 27 at 3 pm, when Doreng Sporting take on Northern United at the GBHSS Playground in Chandmary.
The Super Division, the top tier of the Tura Football League competition, comprises eight teams. Its opening match will be played on July 4 at 3 pm at the P.A. Sangma Stadium in Dakopgre, where Maram FC will face Araimile SCC.
