Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 18:
R Vashum scored a brilliant hat-trick to guide hosts TRAU, Tiddim Road into the semi finals of the 2nd Tiddim Trophy football tournament as group B champions while SSU, Singjamei blanked NISA, Thangmeiband 2-0 to secure the last four berth of the competition as group A runners-up.
Vashum scored all his three goals in the second half to help TRAU inflict 4-1 defeat to Citizens' Club, Soibam Leikai in the last group engagement at Mapal Kangjeibung after Ph Prameshwor had opened the score account with a 40th minute goal.
Even though Saikhohao equalised for the Soibam Leikai side within a minute of Prameshwor drawing first blood Vashum's clinical finishing tilted result in TRAU's favour with the comfortable margin.
Vashum found the opponent net in the 64th, 86th and 87th minutes.
YWC, Thambalkhong who won two matches from three outings finished second in group B with Citizens' Club and AFA, Thoubal bringing up the rear at three and one point respectively.
In the first match of the day against, NISA, which ended goalless in the first half, Benny Chiru broke the stalemate ten minutes after the change of ends with a thunderous shot from top of rival penalty area.
Charan Rai put the match beyond NISA's reach in similar fashion in the 75th minute to secure the second semi final berth from group A with five points - two behind topper NEROCA in the four team cluster.
ESU, Wangkhei occupied the third slot at two points with the Thangmeiband side ending its tournament engagements with only one point.