1st Xenoh Corporate Football Challenge kicks off
ISTV beats Maniwood 3-2, wins opening match
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, February 28 2013:
The first edition of the Xenoh Corporate Football Challenge 2013 kicked off today at TBSFA Sports Complexc, Taobungkhok Makha Leikai, Imphal West.
Th Birachandra Singh Football Academy (TBSFA) organised the tournament in association with Hero's Foundation.
Speaker, Manipur Legislative Assembly, Th Lokeshor and Parliamentary Secretary, M Prithviraj graced the inaugural function as Chief Guest and President respectively.
MLA, Tamenglong A/C Janghemlung Panmei, MLA Keirao A/C Amin Shah, Additional Chief Secretary IAS PC Lawmkunga, IPS KT Vaiphei and IPS Manglemjao were also present as Guests of Honour.
The inaugural match was played between ISTV and Maniwood team of film stars.
The match was a keenly contested match between the two teams.
The match began with high notes among the players of both teams.
Full determination to win the match can be seen among the players.
As the match progressed, Kh Nabakumar of ISTV drew the first blood of the match in the 13th minute.
With the first goal of the match, ISTV players were overjoyed and played the match with a firm determination to win.
On the other hand, Maniwood team who could not open their goal account did not lost hearts and put their best efforts to equalise the score.
As a result, they managed to square back the game moments before the referee blew the final whistle of the first half in the 35+1 minute.
The equaliser was scored by singer turned actor Hamom Sadananda who was the captain of the Maniwood team.
In the second half, both teams played the match with new rays of hopes and confidence after playing a 1-1 draw in the first half.
However, ISTV teams were seem a little tense in amidst the series of goal attempts made by Maniwood players, Gokul, Bony and Sadananda.
But they did not take the situation lightly and put their best efforts in defending themselves against the attacks of their rival and in the same time sneaking for opportunities to strike goal against their opponent team.
Gokul of Maniwood took his team in the lead with a goal in the 40th minute of the match.
As he celebrated the goal by covering his head with his shirt, the referee issued him a yellow card for his unsporting behaviour.
Losing their control over the game, ISTV tried their best in taking the ball into the goalmouth of Maniwood team.
In their quest to square back the game, Y Badal of ISTV successfully equalised the score with a goal in the 49th minute of the match.
As the match progressed, Gokul again made another score but the score was disqualified since he scored the goal after the referee awarded a free kick to ISTV team for a handling made by him.
With the match advancing towards its end, players of both teams gathered all their remaining strength and wits while trying to score their third goals of the match which will prove to be the winning goal of the match.
As they tried to outsmart one another, ISTV's Badal scored another brace in the 70th minute of the match leaving no choice for Maniwood team but to accept the defeat.
On the other hand, Maniwood team with one last chance to equalised the score raced against time in the last one minute injury time.
But they could not scored their equaliser in the injury time and lost the match.
Kh Nabakumar of ISTV was awarded First Goal Scorer of the match.
The tournament is being participated by 18 different teams in six groups.
A march pass event was also held as part of the inaugural function.
The Squad:
ISTV: L Priyo, W Manojkumar, N Phillips, Kh Khogendro, T Sunil, G Gagan, Th Nanao, Y Badal, N Boyai (Captain), Kh Nabakumar, L Phaja, K Jiban, Ng Sanjoy, L Ajit, N Ranjan, M Surendro, Th Richard, P Bobo, O Ibochouba and N Sudesh.
Officials: Khamba Salam (Manager), T Ibomcha (Coach) & Th Bishwajit (Physiotherapist) .
MANIWOOD: Benny, Gokul, Amar Raj, Tombiraj, Shaolin, Barun, Sunil Myboy, Herobi, Hamom Sadananda (Captain), Kaiku, Danny, Rojesh, Rajesh, Brojen, Olen, G Bonny, Momo, Ratan, Suresh Hidang, Abungcha, Raju & Guna Hidang.
Officials: T Loken (Manager), L Dhamen (Coach) .