Manipur lose at Santosh Trophy
Source: The Sangai Express
Cuttack, May 26 2012:
Tamil Nadu held onto a first-half lead to pip Manipur 2-0 and book a summit clash with Services in the final of the 66th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy.
Striker A Reagan scored the first goal in the 35 minute and substitute M David sealed the fate in the 85 minute in the second semifinal played this evening at the Barabati Stadium.
The final, which kicks-off at 6pm on April 28, will be telecast live on DD Sports.
Tamil Nadu started on a cautious note and stayed willing to play the waiting game.
They allowed Manipur to come to them but never opened their goalmouth.
Their penchant for counters also worked wonders for them.
After a series of attacks on the rival citadel, Tamil Nadu eventually gained the lead in the 35 minute.
Jayakumar's defence-splitting pass opened up the Manipur defence and striker Reagan beat rival stopper James Singh for speed and tapped it past an onrushing rival goalkeeper Basant Singh.
Tamil Nadu sealed the fate in the 85 minute, a counter-attack doing the trick for them.
Substitute M David finished it off as he slotted past Basant.
piror to the kick-off, Arvind Pari, IAS and RDC, was introduced to the two teams.