61st CC Meet : NISA edge out SSU on penalties to book quarter final berth
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 18 2019:
NISA, Thangmeiband beat SSU, Singamei by 6-4 goals via tie breaker after 1-1 draw during regulation to secure a place in the quarter final of the 61st Sir Churachand Singh KCSI, CBE Memorial Football Tournament which is underway at Artificial Turf Ground, Khuman Lampak under the auspices of All Manipur Football Association.
It was a tight contest throughout and SSU made the most of the possession and scoring chances.
NISA however took the lead against the run of the play when Johny Kom of NISA capitalize on a deflected ball from SSU keeper and tapped it into the net in the 21st minute.
Th James of NISA was actually attempting a clean shot but his compatriot Johny made up his miss to make it 1-0 in the first session.
The second period saw SSU struggle hard to find the equaliser but could not advance much as NISA displayed a fine defending and hang on to their lead wisely.
NISA had to reel under more pressure after 71st minute as they were reduced to 10-man having Th Rahman sent off after receiving a double caution for delaying in substitution.
NISA however soaked up all pressure to deny SSU any goal and almost had a clean finish but its defender Kh Jaychandra's handling on N Kabiraj's corner kick during the additional time proved them costly as Kh Jaychandra was yellow carded and a penalty kick was awarded to the Singjamei side.
SSU's N Sunil who stepped forward to take the spot kick then made his effort count and made it 1-1 pointing towards kicks from the penalty mark to decide the winners.
In the shoot-out, NISA's S Rojen, M Clinton Khuman, Th James, Lamjingba Mutum and L Gouro found the net for a 6-4 finish as only S Prikanta, W Bisheshor Meitei and N Kabiraj scored for SSU.
NISA, Thangmeiband will now face defending champions NEROCA FC, Imphal East in a quarter final clash on March 25 at 1.30 pm .