Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 03:
A goal on either half of the match fetched maximum points for Tiddim Road Athletic Union (TRAU) against Southern Sporting Union (ssu), Singjamei on the opening day of the inaugural Manipur State League (football) 2006 competition at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium today.
The keenly contested tie that produced with two penalty awards out of which the ultimate winners converted and SSU missed began on a cautious note before the pace picked up.
With both side content on testing each others' strength initially the play hovered around the middle before TRAU broke the stalemate from the game's first penalty award in the 21st minute which was converted by Saikhohao Tuboi.
match referee pointed to the dreaded spot to penalise R Banny Chiru who infringed against Lunminlal Khongsai.
The referee came into the limelight again awarding a penalty to SSU seven minutes later when O Donboy handled the ball inside the restricted zone.
The resultant kick taken by N Uttam was, however, saved by TRAU custodian N Thoi.
Refreshed by the half-time break, SSU attempted to restore parity but found the opponent defenders hard nut to crack.
On the otherhand, the TRAU match winner was scored by Lunminlal who headed in a rebound from the SSU crosspiece of a G Ninjakabui scorcher in the 76th minute.
Donboy and O Somorendro of TRAU and Th Shankar of SSU were yellow carded in the match.
Five matches are scheduled for November 5.The League competition organised by AMFA under the AFC's Vision India Project is being participated by 12 top teams from different divisions of State league tournaments.
Earlier, inaugurating the League Governor Dr SS sidhu applauded the AFC-AIFF vision to lift standard of football in the country.
Expressing confidence that players groomed in Manipur would be able to contribute in the development of football in India, the Governor opined that emphasis upon club level football will provide the right impetus in not only sustaining promotion of the game in the State but throughout the country.
Apart from AFC's general secretary Peter Velappan and president of AIFF Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi top officials of AFC, AIFF and AMFA were also present at the inaugural programme.