XI Star pip KFA as CC Meet kicks off
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 28 2023:
XI Star Sporting Union, Akampat eliminated Kuki Football Academy, Kangpokpi after a thrilling penalty shootout as preliminary knockout stage-1 kicked off the Babina Group 64th Sir Churachand Singh Memorial Football Tournament 2022-23 at Artificial Turf Ground, Lamlong Thongkhong on Friday.
Both teams were in action mode in the early stages of the match as XI Star took the lead after 13 minutes through Julian Keishing before KFA mad it all square in the 23rd minute courtesy of a strike from Kappao Vaiphei, Then a see-saw battle continued through the remaining minutes of regulation time.
The game went into the penalty shootout after neither side were able to break the 1-1 deadlock.
In the shootout, XI Star held their nerves to overcome KFA 6-5 as Joshua Kom, Khumanthem Taibanganba, Yumkhaibam Indranath, Giftson Kamei, Laishram Thoiba and Golmei Apu Kabui all converted their shots to help their team progress to the last eight of the preliminary knockout stage-1 .
On Saturday (April 29), YWU, Kakching will be up against NERAU FC before SWC, Keirak and GDC, Thinungei take the field.