22nd Winners' Cup: SAI-SAG, UKB script slender wins
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 24 2017:
SAI -SAG, Utlou beat NCC, Khonghampat by a narrow1-0 margin while UKB, Churachandpur defeated HUSO, Senapati with the same margin in today’s matches of the 22nd Winners’ Cup 2017 .
The day saw two evenly matched teams on the field trying to overrun one another.
The home team, SAI-SAG and the visitor NCC displayed a thrilling match at SAI-NERC ground.
Both teams started the game well from the first whistle trying to take lead .
It was the 44th minute of the first half which decided the fate of the match when S Chittaranjan of SAI-SAG who outstepped few defenders in the rival’s inner territory and dropped home the ball .
The second half witnessed a series of attacks from both teams, one trying to extend the lead and another trying hard to pull back and restore parity .
Their efforts went in vain as the defence lines of both teams stood firm enough to deter all penetrating moves.
Ultimately, the match ended 1-0 in favour of the host .
S Johnson and RK Kokulen of SAI-SAG Utlou were yellow carded in the 21st and 68th minute of the match while N Suresh of NCC, Khonghampat was yellow carded in the 81st minute .
The return leg of this fixture will be played on October 27 at NCC’s home turf, ie, SKYC ground, Sekmai .
In another encounter at Kholmun playground, Churachandpur, home team UKB defeated HUSO representing (DSA Senapati) 1-0 .
UKB and visitors HUSO produced a spirited challenge against one another.
Both teams could not produce a single goal for almost the entire match.
However, Lamthianlal’s late strike during the additional time separated the two sides and eventually put the hosts in the driver’s seat .
HUSO will host the next match at Senapati local ground against UKB on October 27.The team with the higher point will enter quarter finals.