Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 10:
Maintaining its unbeaten streak in the 20th Senior Men's Inter-District Football Tournament for S Birendra Singh Trophy, Imphal West District Football Association has retained the title it won last year against the same opponent.
IWDFA has won the competition's top title for third time in a row.
In the final at ESU ground, Wangkhei today the Imphal West side defeated arch rival Imphal East DFA by a solitary goal scored by L Raman.
Exhibiting better team cohesion the defending champions exploited defensive lapses of the opponent side to score the match-winner in the 11th, minute of the match.
A free kick awarded to Imphal West near the centre was flighted deep into the rival penalty area that found David Kamson coolly collecting the ball and essaying a back heel pass to an unmarked Raman within handshaking distance from the target.
Finding the opponent custodian at his mercy Raman slotted home to the 'keeper's right for the only goal of the final match.
Imphal West held on to their slender lead despite some sporadic attempts from the opponent, particularly in the second half, to restore parity.
P Somen of Imphal East and Imphal West duo of Anil Golmei and Paolin were yellow carded for infringements in the match.
Imphal West had entered the final defeating DSA, Churachandpur after topping group A comprising of DSA, Thoubal and Bishnupur.
On the other hand, Imphal East reached the title round overcoming DSA, Bishnupur in the semis.
In the group matches, Imphal East had defeated DSA, Kakching and Churachandpur.
Today's match was conducted by M Magho with L Kuladhaja and M Nimai as assistants while Y Mangoljao supervised the final tie as match commissioner.