26th Winners' Cup : XI-Star SU, GDC register identical 3-1 semi-final first leg wins
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 13 2022:
XI-Star SU-Akampat (IE) thumped Lamka Sports Club (LSC)-Churachandpur by 3-1 goals in a semi-final first leg of the Thangjam Birachandra-Maipakpi Memorial 26th Winners' Cup at Artificial Turf Ground, Lamlong Thongkhong today.
Lamka Sports Club had the better start of the two sides and drew first blood in the 11th minute through Thangmuanlal Tunglut.
XI Star SU, however, fought back and equalised the margin in the 25th minute through Giftson Kamei.
After settling the first half in a 1-1 draw, the Akampat club entered the field with more intent and strung a series of runs to keep LSC defence under pressure and overturned the lead through Langsingam Reamei at the stroke of the hour mark.
Things got worse for the visitors (LSC) as Golmei Apu Kabui put XI-Star SU further ahead by scoring team's third after 77 minutes and eventually wrapped up the game 3-1 .
Later in another match, Ground Development Committee (GDC)- Bishnupur notched up a similar 3-1 semi-final first leg win over Kuki Football Academy (KFA)-Kangpokpi .
Lengousem Sailo gave KFA freak early lead scoring two minutes into the game but Huirem Romesh pulled level for GDC in the 15th minute.
Khaidem Amarjit then turned the game in GDC's favour after 62 minutes before his teammate Heishnam Michael scored the team's third in the 83rd minute to leave KFA further behind.
The reverse fixtures are scheduled on December 16 .