Winners’ Cup 2017 : AFC beat ULFC 1-0 to reach semis
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 01 2017: AFC, Thoubal Athokpam beat ULFC, Chandel by a narrow margin of 1-0 today in the second leg to enter the semi-finals of the ongoing 22nd Winners’ Cup for Men 2017 which got underway from October 23 at different venues across the State on home and away basis .

The tournament organised under the supervision of All Manipur Football Association (AMFA) is participated by 11 winning teams of different league tournaments held in different districts of Manipur.

So far, UKB, Churachandpur and AFC, Athokpam have secured their semi final berths.

UKB will face the winner between KPSC, Kakching and RAU, Lairikyengbam Leikai in the semi-final legs while AFC will clash with the winner between NCC and ZFC .

The second leg hosted by ULFC, Chandel at Liwa Sarai ground went in favour of AFC, Thoubal Athokpam by a 1-0 margin in a hard fought match .

ULFC had very low chance of entering the semi-finals as they suffered a 1-5 defeat to AFC in the previous leg but displayed much better team work and understanding in today’s match .

The match started well from both sides trying to open up and take the lead but the attacks fell short as the defence lines of either team did a good job in neutralising all possible threats.

The defence lines of both teams stood firm till the end of the first half .

After the breather, AFC shifted gears and started making inroads against ULFC stretching their defence line.

Off one such offensive move AFC made their way into ULFC’s inner territory.

It was Md Shahidur who caught the defenders of ULFC on the wrong feet and fired in a clinical shot past the custodian to take the lead in the 72nd minute .

AFC wrapped up the game 1-0 but that proved too little given the huge loss they suffered in the first leg .

KPSC, Kakching will host the first quarter-final leg against RAO, Lairikyengbam Leikai at DSA Kakching ground at 1 pm tomorrow while NCC, Khonghampat will take on ZFC, Tamenglong at SKYC ground, Sekmai at 1 pm.

Comment