XI-Star in Winners' Cup quarters
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, November 29 2022:
XI-Star SU (Akampat) made a clean of their first round's two matches against Charlao FC (Ukhrul) to reach the quarterfinals of the 26th Thangjam Birachandra-Maipakpi Memorial Winners' Cup 2022 on Tuesday.
XI-Star built on their first-leg triumph to hand Charlao FC a 3-1 drubbing in their first-round second-leg contest to set up two-legged quarterfinal tie with NERAU FC (Kamjong).
XI-Star started strongly and gained the upper hand just seven minutes into the game.
It was Nameirakpam Satanu Meitei who registered the first shot on target to put XI-Star in front.
Charlao FC, however, fought their way back into the game towards the end of the halftime whistle after Arjun made it all square in the 38th minute.
The early stages of the second period saw back-and-forth exchanges with neither side able to break the deadlock.
After gruelling minutes of the see-saw battle, the game finally burst into life in the 80th minute when Golmei Apu Kabui regained XI-Star's lead with a calm finish.
Then Khumanthem Taibanganba stretched their advantage in the 90th minute, leaving little time for Charloa FC to mount a comeback.
Earlier in their first leg fixture, XI-Star had notched up a 2-0 success against Charlao FC.
With the second-leg result, Xl-Star SU deservedly earned their place in the last eight where they will face NERAU FC .