12th Manipur State League AIM Khabam, SSU share honours
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 04 2017:
AIM, Khabam came from behind via a freak own goal from a player of SSU to split points in today’s match of the ongoing 12th Manipur State League at the Artificial Turf ground at Khuman Lampak .
With both teams playing their 7th match in the tournament in the 12 teams League, the stake was high .
With today’s draw, AIM, Khabam is at the fourth spot with 12 points, having played seven times, won three times, drawn three times and lost once .
SSU on the other hand are lying at the seventh spot with 9 points having played 7 times, won twice, drew thrice and lost twice .
Sensing the importance of the match, both teams took to the field warily and did not really open up, satisfied with keeping their citadel intact .
With play confined mostly at the mid field, the two teams relied on quick breakaways to find the gap and proceed to the territory of each other .
However the defence oriented approach of both teams denied any space to the forward lines of either side .
SSU were however on the more offensive mode and their players showed the temperament to break free and run down the flanks with some quick moves and neat ball control .
The break through for SSU came in the 31st minute of the first half when their players co-ordinated well and spread themselves all over the territory of AIM .
With the defence line of AIM stretched to the limit by the quick running by SSU boys, the ball went to N Shushil who was well placed to take a well measured kick that floated past the custodian of AIM and disturbed the net to put SSU ahead in the 31st minute .
Lemon break was taken with SSU leading by the slender margin of 1-0 .
After the break, AIM tried to come back into the match with some well measured long passes, but the defence line of SSU stood firm .
Relying more on quick counter attacks, SSU managed to keep the defence line of AIM on their toes and with the minute sticking by, AIM made one last penetrating move from the midfield .
Catching the defence line of SSU on the wrong foot, AIM players went on the offensive and managed to take the ball into the penalty area .
During the melee that followed, Rosicky Kh of SSU, in his desperate efforts to clear the ball, scored an own goal and that brought back AIM into the match and their standing on the League table .
TRAU will face FC ZALEN tomorrow in the first match at 12.05 pm while YPHU will meet NISA in the second league match of the day at 2.45 pm.