Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 09:
Last year's finalists Citizens' Club, Soibam Leikai kept its hope alive in the 48th edition of the CC Meet football tournament with a hard fought 6-4 victory via the tie breaker against Sagolband United at Mapal Kangjeibung today.
In another match of the day, AFA, Thoubal routed their district rival KFC of Kakching 4-0 with T Bosanta scoring two of them.
In a tense preliminary league match today, the Soibam Leikai side spilled several chances to take the lead before suffering a minor setback when custodian L Manichandra pulled down rival striker Nepolian Mangte inside the danger zone prompting the referee to point to the dreaded spot.
The resultant penalty award was converted into goal by Md Khan Shah in the 31st minute.
While the Soibam Leikai outfit relied on its speedy forwards, SU's team cohesion particularly at the rear ensured that the slender goal lead remained unchanged till the change over.
After the interval, the Citizens coach made substitutions and the ploy paid off when an attack bought them a free kick in the 61st minute which was taken by H Doren.
Doren's teasing floater sailed into the SU goal area from where Saikhohao Tuboi leaped above all opponent defenders to head home to equaliser and stretch the match into shoot-out to decide the winner.
The SU scorer Shah became the culprit when he ballooned the first attempt over the crosspiece even as N Helen, Nepolian and Meikingai Kamei beat the Citizens 'keeper from the spot while N Deven, Doren, A Premjit, M Romi and Saikhohao squeezed their shots to secure the quarter final berth for the Soibam Leikai side.
Playing against KFC in the second match, AFA's Bosanta latching onto a loose goalkeeper collection opened the score account four minutes into the first half.
A long clearance by M Meelan produced the second AFA goal 10 minutes after the interval with L Herojit wading through the Kakching defence and leaving the opponent custodian stranded.
The scorer became the provider in third KFC goal scored by substitute Md Habibur Rahman (76th) while Bosanta completed the KFC demolition with an added time goal.