63rd CC Meet: Sagolband United down CFA 4-2 on penalties, to meet SSU in summit clash
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 16 2022:
Sagolband United (SU) beat Classic Football Academy (CFA), Chingmeirong on penalties to set up 63rd CC Meet title clash with Southern Sporting Union (SSU), Singjamei.
SU and CFA were locked in a 2-2 draw till the regulation time of the second semi-final clash of the prestigious tournament at Artificial Turf, Lamlong Thongkhong today before the game was settled via penalty shoot-out.
SU dominated earlier proceedings and scored two back to back goals in the first half but the Chingmeirong team who are making their debut appearance in the tournament fought back bravely and came to level terms courtesy of a stoppage time goal.
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SU went ahead when Ch Anandkumar found the breakthrough goal in the 24th minute and intensified the game to further extend the lead via Basanta Moirangthem in the 31st minute as CFA defense were caught by surprise.
CFA, however, upped the ante and put in more force to reduce the margin.
Soon enough they earned a penalty and striker SertoWorneilen Kom made no mistake in slotting home the ball to half the deficit in the 35th minute.
With neither team making their best of the chances in the following minutes, the first half ended 2-1 in SU's favour.
After the break, SU strived hard to mount pressure by stringing a series of incisive runs while CFA kept struggling to pull level.
And as the game wore on, SU slipped to a more defensive format and almost sealed the game 2-1 but Ganningam Malangmei scored 7 minutes into the injury time (90+7') to draw level and keep CFA's final hope alive.
Following the equaliser, a protest ensued over the exceptionally long injury time being added on by the referee.
After nearly an hour, the situation was brought under control and the winners were decided by penalty shoot-out where in Ch Anandkumar, N Binan, C Seilenlal Mate and Basanta Moirangthem all scored from the spot to give SU a 6-2 (final score) edge over the Chingmeirong team whose S Robert and Dettol Moirangthem only could beat the SU custodian.
The final match is scheduled on March 18 from 1.45 pm.