15th Manipur State League : RAU beat KLASA 1-0 as SU hold MPSC in 6-goal thriller
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 18 2022:
Koijam Umakanta came off the bench to score a brace for MPSC but his effort went in vain as Sagolband United scored late to salvage a 3-3 draw in a Group A league match of the ongoing 15th Manipur State League today.
Sagolband United (SU) had the better start of the two teams and were ahead with Thokchom Adison goal in the 19th minute before his team mate Thongam Lenin further solidified the lead after 4 minutes with another brilliant finish.
MPSC who were misfiring in the earlier proceedings however rallied back with Ningombam Arjun making an effort count in the 42nd minute.
To everyone's surprise, forward Koijam Umakanta who came in for defender Oinam Premeshore in the first minute of the added time scored the very next minute (45+2') to make the score level at 2-2 at the break.
After the changeover, the two sides got into action searching for the lead and it was Koijam Umakanta at the target again to help MPSC overturn the lead in the 50th minute.
SU who were unlucky to convert few of the close calls however clawed back into the game with skipper Singam Subash finding the target in the 77th minute and closed out the gap.
It was an open competition yet again and the two sides had to share the spoils as defenders on both ends proved unbreakable in the late stages.
The day also saw Rising Athletic Union (RAU)-Lairikyengbam Leikai beating KLASA-Keinou 1-0 for two of two Group A wins.
Having beaten UKB 2-0 to kick off their campaign, RAU rode one a 24 minute strike from captain Wakambam Michael to secure all three points against the Keinou team.
The match was otherwise an evenly matched encounter with both teams sharing almost equal possession and number of on goal attempts.