13th DSA Trophy HISU set up final date with TRAU
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 18 2017: HISU Thoubal, came from behind to down SAO, Kakching by the odd goal in three and enter the final of the 13th N Bhubol Memorial DSA Trophy underway at DSA playground, Kakching today.

HISU will meet TRAU, which have already entered the final after beating KPSC via the tie breaker in the first semi-final yesterday on January 22 .

With just one match away from entering the final, both teams took to the field warily sizing up each other with some good moves down the flanks and in trying to control the mid-field.

13th DSA Trophy HISU set up final date with TRAU

SAO proved to be the more adventurous team in the early stage of the match and they started opening up and attacking from the flanks with some fast running on either side of the flanks.

Off one such fast paced move, the ball was floated into the penalty box of HISU where a lurking N Romesh managed to control the ball neatly.

After beating a couple of defenders of HISU, Romesh came face to face with the custodian of the rival team.

Keeping his cool, Romesh placed the ball into the far left of the net in the 9th minute of the match leaving the custodian of HISU rooted to the ground.

Stung by the early goal, HISU put more men in the attack and started raiding the territory of SAO with some good moves.

However the defence line of SAO stood its ground and neutralised all the penetrative moves initiated by the rival team.

SAO too had some opportunities to increase the lead but poor finishing and good work under the bar by the custodian of HISU prevented them from increasing the one goal lead.

The lemon break was taken with SAO leading by one goal to nil.

After the breather, HISU kept on the pressure with some fast running down the flanks and fine ball control in the mid field.

The free and open style adopted by the HISU players began to break down the defence line of SAO and off one such move, the ball went to W Chan on top of the penalty box.

Neatly controlling the ball, Chan managed to catch a couple of defenders of SAO on the wrong foot and he had little trouble in disturbing the net in the 62nd minute to restore parity and bring his team HISU, back into the match.

After the equaliser, HISU did not let go of the pressure and kept on attacking, finding the gaps in the defence line of SAO.

Quick passing between the forward line of HISU saw them taking the ball deep into the penalty box and L Romesh delivered a power packed shot to help HISU win the match by the odd goal in three.