XIth Jadonang Memorial Keishamthong, Chingkhulong advance into semis
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 02 2017:
Keisham-thong edged out Sairem 3-2 while Chingkhulong secured a narrow 1-0 against Ragailong to book their places in the semi-finals of the ongoing 11th Jadonang Memorial Football Tournament 2017 organised by Zeliangrong Football Association at THAU Sports Complex, Thangmeiband .
G Ninja Kabui scored twice in the first match of the day to give Keishamthong a slender 3-2 win to cruise into the semi-final .
Emmanuel Chawang of Sairem was first to register his name in the scoresheet with his clinical shot in the 20th minute.
Stung by the goal, the Keishamthong side responded with some fine counter runs and it was Patrick Kamei who found the equaliser in the 38th minute to make the scoreline 1-1 till the end of the first half .
After the breather both teams entered the field with more purpose and started to stretch the defence of each other .
The Keishamthong side found the gaps and were able to swarm up to the opponent’s half .
G Ninja who was lurking near the goal mouth received a well measured pass and cracked a powerful shot past the custodian to break the deadlock and handed his team a 2-1 lead .
The lead did not last long as Sairem were able to draw level in the 72nd minute .
The parity ended with G Ninja coming to the rescue of Keishamthong as he fired in his second goal in the 75th minute and let his team retain the lost lead which was well enough to seal the match .
In the last quarter final match, Chingkhulong and Ragailong were evenly matched but an early goal struck by Issack Dangmei in the 12th minute helped Chingkhulong saw off Luckless Ragailong to ease into the last four stage .
Satudai will meet Langthabal Chingthak in the first semi-final on December 3 at 1.30 pm.
In the morning of the same day there will be an exhibition match between Zeliangrong Football Association (ZFA) and Zeliang- rong Film Forum Manipur.