TRAU, SU emerge victorious in 12th Manipur State League
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 29 2018:
TRAU, Kwakeithel and Sagolband United (SU) emerged victorious in today's double elimination round matches of the ongoing 12th Manipur State League at Football Turf Ground, Khuman Lampak.
TRAU which finished fifth in the league stage eased past SSU, Singjamei by 2-1 goals today to set up next round clash on January 4, 2019 against Sagolband United which thumped AIM, Khabam by 2-0 goals in another match today.
The first match of the day saw a stiff competition between TRAU and SSU to settle the first half in a 1-1 draw.
But TRAU went ahead in the second with a 58th minute goal and succeeded in holding their lead till the final whistle.
SSU Singjamei were first to open up the scoring as O Ajay found the net in the 10th minute but their lead did not last long as Shahbaz of TRAU, Kwakeithel fired in the equaliser 7 minutes latter.
Both teams carried on their raids soon after the leveller but both teams failed to find the target to go into the break with the scoreline reading 1-1.The two teams were evenly poised in the second half as well but a goal by Ng Naocha in the 58th minute proved worthy enough to be the winner as TRAU held their nerves to deny all late charges from the Singjamei side and sealed the game 2-1.Rosiki of SSU was yellow carded in the 16th minute of the match.
Elsewhere in the second match, SU and AIM, Khabam played out a goalless first half as defence line on both ends stood like a wall to deny either side from taking the lead.
SU however entered the field with more grit and intent after the break and it was in the 47th minute that Tajuddin broke the deadlock.
Spurred by the goal, AIM Khabam pushed hard in search of the equaliser but their condition worsened when Elminhao Kilong doubled SU's lead in the 68th minute with a superbly executed shot.
AIM struggled hard to reduce the gap in the latter part but failed as SU defence line managed well to keep all threats at bay.
Ultimately SU went home with a 2-0 win.
KLASA, Keinou will meet NEROCA FC for a place in the final on December 31 at 1 pm .