Santosh Trophy Qualifiers Manipur edge past Meghalaya 3-1 to emerge group winners
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 13 2018:
Manipur today outplayed Meghalaya 3-1 in an intense match to become Group-B winners in the qualifying round of the National Championship for Santosh Trophy 2017-18 staged at Aizawl.
Mizoram have also qualified for the final round as they emerged winners of Group A .
Though the match witnessed few tense moments Manipur continued their winning run and enjoyed upperhand from the beginning.
The win was very crucial for Manipur as Meghalaya defeated Tripura 5-0 in another league match.
The State team led by Coach Ratan Elangbam went into the break with a 2-0 lead through goals scored by Ngangbam Naocha and Jerry Onesemas Pulamte.
Naocha opened the account in the 38th minute of the match followed by a last minute goal before the break by Jerry.
After the restart, Manipur continued to press Meghalaya with series of raids.
Off such one move, Naocha who also struck the opener found a gap and slotted home the ball past Germy Passa, the custodian of Meghalaya in the 60th minute putting Manipur ahead with a 3-0 lead.
Meghalaya who were reeling under immense pressure got out of their misery scoring the single goal in the 65th minute via Donlad Diengdoh.
The latter part of the match saw to and fro movement between the two teams.
Things got heat up in the dying minutes and in a very rare occurence striker Naocha of Manipur and defender Ksankupar Khongmali of Meghalaya were sent off the field after the referee showed them straight reds for their unsporting behaviours in the 90th minute.
Naorem Tondomba, Salam Dinakumar and Chingakham Roshan Singh of Manipur were yellow carded in the 23rd, 33rd and 85th minute while defender Mebankhraw Khyriem Wahlong of Meghalaya had the same fate in the 66th minute.
Manipur defeated Tripura 3-0 in the previous league match played on January 9.With two wins in two matches Manipur are now eligible for the final round.