Khanglai meet kickstarts FC Zalen drub TMS Pangjang
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 17 2014:
Despite the on and off drizzle that lashed parts of the State, the Khanglai sports meet (football) got off to a flying start with FC Zalen blanking TMS Pangjang by three goals to nil on the opening day of the tournament today at Brigadier Thomas Ground, Kangpokpi.
With IFCD Minister Ngamthang Haokip attending the opening day as the chief guest, the cash rich tournament with Rs 1 lakh up for grabs for the winners and Rs 50,000 for the runners up, will see 23 teams participating in four groups.
According to the format of the tournament, three matches will be played every day with the final scheduled on March 5 .
Despite the cold and the drizzle many turned out to watch the opening match between FC Zalen and TMS Pangjang and the two teams did not disappoint, coming up with an entertaining game.
The scoreline of 3-0 did not exactly mirror the flow of the match as both teams played their hearts out never withdrawing into a shell.
It was however FC Zalen, with better co-ordination and replying on swift counter attacks and crisp passing that carried them through the day.
TMS Panjang went all out to come back into the match, but left huge gaps in their defence line, which the players from FC Zalen capitalised upon to pump in three goals and take the match away from their rival team.
TMS Pangjang did have a couple of chances to find the target, but poor finishing undid them in.
Speaking at the opening day of the tournament, IFCD Minister Ngamthang Haokip said that sports acts as the bridge between the different communities in the State.
This means more people to people contact, he said and added that this goes a long way in maintaining cordial relationship between the different communities.
Turning his attention to the players, the Minister appealed to them to play the game in its true spirit and not resort to any unfair and unruly means.