Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 07:
NACO, Nambul Mapal held onto their second half goals to knock out Lenlai Club, Churachandpur from the final round of the 48th All India Sir Churachandpur Singh KCSI CBE Memorial Invitation football tournament at Mapal Kangjeibung today.
NACO became the second team after TRAU to reach the quarter final league stage in the final round of competition organised by AMFA.
Inspite of the Churachandpur side making all out effort particularly in the second half to keep hopes alive for further foray in the prestigious tournament, misunderstanding among the defenders that saw NACO score two goals within the half hour mark, proved costly.
Detecting Lenlai defense weaknesses on the right side, NACO forwards mostly concentrated their attacks through the weakened opponent position and one such move resulted in the NACO opener.
An L Ramand pass found L Bikram near the centre and the latter dodging pass a couple of rival defenders scored with a deft touch that sailed over the onrushing Lenlai custodian and landed into the open net in the eighth minute.
NACO doubled the lead when M Bimolchand slammed home off a weak clearance by the Churachandpur 'keeper in the 25th minute.
L Santa's free kick from near the left corner baffled the Lenlai custodian and the latter's clearance landed near an unmarked Bimolchand who had no difficulty in directing his shot.
O Somorendro and Bimolchand of NACO and Lenlai's Jamkhotinlen were yellow carded for unsportsmanlike behaviour during the match.