10th Jiri Cup Invitation Football Tournament Hmar Sports Assn score narrow win
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 22 2014 :
Riding on a brace from Lalrothar, Hmar Sports Association, Cachar came from behind and carved out a narrow win over a spirited Barak Brother Union, Barak Circle, Jiribam by three goals to two in the 10th Jiri Invitation Football Tournament played at Jiribam Government Higher Secondary School ground today.
The tournament is being organised by the All Jiribam Sports Association.
Both teams adopted an attacking and flowing game and Barak Brother Union went ahead as early as the 8th minute of the match when Amarjit rattled the net of the rival team.
The first goal came off a fine move down the flank, with the winger releasing a well measured pass on the top of the penalty area to find Amarjit.
The striker had all the time to control the ball and tap it past the custodian of the rival team.
The lead however did not last long, as Hmar Sports Association went all out to find the equaliser and Lalrothar came up with a splendid finish to score in the 16th minute and restore parity.
Buoyed by the equaliser, the Hmar team went on the offensive and repeatedly found the gaps in the defence line of Barak Brother Union.
The repeated forays ultimately proved fruitful when Ngilneisang found the target in the 28th minute to take Hmar Sports Association ahead.
Not resting on the one goal lead cushion, the Hmar team kept on testing the defence line of Barak Brother Union and Lalrothar rose to the occasion to score his second and the third goal of his team in the 37th minute.
The goal came off a series of good passes and co-ordination between the players of Hmar Sports Club, who managed to breach the defence line of the rival team and a lurking Lalrothar capped off the good moves with a clinical finish.
Lemon break was taken with Hmar Sports Association taking a two goal lead.
After the break, the Hmar team withdrew and came up with a defensive positional play.
This gave ample space to the rival team, which managed to break through with Suokte scoring in the 88th minute, but by then it was too late.