1st Premier League SSU hold ASUFII FA, both qualify for semis
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 27 2024:
Southern Sporting Union (SSU)-Singjamei fought back from behind to play out a 1-1 draw with spirited ASUFII FA in their last league round match in the 1st Premier League being organised by the All Manipur Football Association.
Despite the result SSU finished on top with 17 points while ASUFII FA were able to finish third with 14 points below second placed WAFA who have amassed 15 points off 4 wins and three draws in 8 matches.
ASUFII FA could have climbed atop had they registered victory by at least one goal margin.
Sagolband United (SU), in the meantime, finished fourth to join three top three teams in the semi-finals.
ASUFII FA started brightly and went up front early with Waikhom Arunkumar converting a fine chance in the 6th minute.
They held on to their lead despite SSU toiling hard to draw level until Suraj Yumnam, who came off the bench in the 71st minute, made the most of a chance in the 80th minute.
With the game left open once again, it was an end to end affair as both sides struggled to find the winner in the remainder of the game but lack of precision forced them to share a point each.
Later in the day, DMRAO-Sekmai brushed aside RAU-Lairikyengbam Leikai 5-2 for the only win in their league campaign.
Konthoujam Monex starred in the match scoring a hat-trick (17', 43', 45') for the Sekmai team as Okram Rohit (79') and Y Sonam Chothe (90+2') added a goal apiece.
For RAU, Md Mustofa (5') and Khaidem Arjun (88') were on target.
FC Raengdai will play AIM in the last league match of the 9-team tournament tomorrow before league leaders SSU play fourth placed SU and second placed WAFA play third placed ASUFII FA in the semi-finals on January 29 .