Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 08 2009:
Two manipur State League (MSL) title contenders � AIM, Khabam and MBSU, Wahengbam Leikai, have been knocked out of the ongoing 53rd CC Meet football tournament.
In second round matches played today at the historic Mapal kangjeibung, YDO (Heinoukhongnembi) survived some anxious moments before showing the exit door to the Wahengbam Leikai side after a solitary goal win while KSC, Lambulane upset AIM in sudden death.
At the end of first round, AIM are fourth in the MSL standings and MBSU fifth.
In a second round match of the CC Meet competition played in late morning, YDO converted its only clear chance into goal when L Gogocha found the mark in the 36th minute from a swift breakaway move between Golmei Singba Kabui and O Ibungo.
The goal was Gogocha's second of the tournament, having scored the equaliser against first round opponents PYC, Phoudel, which YDO went on to win in the tie-break.
Inspite of dominating the match, MBSU paid dearly for missing a number of scoring opportunities that came their way in normal period especially when M Romi's attempt hit the far post in the 40th minute, S Birjit struck the crosspiece in the 88th and Kh Premjit failed to connect into an open goal in injury time.
On the otherhand, KSC players displayed never-say-die spirit to hold AIM to a 1-1 draw when normal time ended, matched their relatively higher rated opponents in the penalty shoot-out to ultimately prevail in the sudden death when M Boicha's shot was parried by KSC custodian Hanggoulal Haolai, compared to Boineo Gangte beating Y Surchandra under the AIM goal.
Earlier, sudden death culprit M Boicha had provided the AIM breakthrough translating a Th Roshan Meitei cross into a goal in the 20th minute.
The goal, however, had no visible effect upon the Nambulane team as the players could be observed playing with their hearts out and maintaining the same pace, if not more, than they had begun.
The KSC hardwork finally paid off when Lamkholen Kipgen restored parity in the second minute of additional period, tapping home from close range after the AIM custodian misjudged what appeared to be a Seijalal header.
SSU will play BYFY at 11.30 am while it will be NEROCA versus YWC at 1.30 am in tomorrow's matches.