76th NFC for Santosh Trophy : Naocha nets thrice as Manipur kick off final round campaign with 4-1 rout of Railways
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 11 2023:
Manipur rode on Ngangbam Naocha's treble in the second half to prevail 4-1 over Railways in their final round opening match (Group B) of the 76th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy at OFA, 7th Battalion stadium in Bhubaneswar today.
Manipur and Railways were neck and neck in the opening half and entered into the break goalless as defenders on both ends did their best to deny scoring chances.
Things however took an unexpected turn as Manipur entered the field with more purpose after the break and broke the deadlock in the 56th minute with Ngangbam Naocha cracking a powerpacked shot after connecting a fine pass from the right flank by Pangambam Naoba.
The game gets competitive after the goal with Railways trying to draw level and Manipur trying to add up their tally.
After exchanging a few runs Manipur capitalised on a defensive lapse and off a through ball, Naoba who made a scampering run down the right flank and created a one on one situation.
His shot however struck the post and went for Naocha at the far post for a smooth tuck in.
Naocha almost completed his hattrick the next minute but saw his shot going inches wide.
Railways managed to pull back a goal through Ramakrishnan R who connected a fine cross from the right flank in the 72nd minute.
It did not take long for Manipur to restore the two-goal lead as Naocha outran a Railways defender down the right flank and entered into the box before unleashing a low shot past Railways' custodian Anupam Sinha in the 73rd minute for his third goal.
The ball continued to remain in Railways half as Manipur kept looking for more goals despite the 3-1 lead before Manipur players swarmed up for a chance two minutes into the stoppage time and Yami Longvah sent the ball into the top corner after two passes inside the box to make it 4-1 .
Railways too strung few chances in the remaining few minutes but Manipur defenders stood firm to deny any changes in the scoreline.
Manipur will play Meghalaya in the next match at Capital Football Arena from 3 pm on February 13 .