XI Star, KFA, GDC reach Winners' Cup semis
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 06 2022:
XI Star Sporting Union, Kuki Football Academy (KFA) and GDC Thinungei all triumphed in their quarterfinal second-leg matches to ensure their places in the semifinals of the 26th Winners' Cup 2022 on Tuesday.
XI Star (Akampat) romped past NERAU FC 4-1 in their quarterfinal second-leg tie to secure their spot in the last four.
The Akampat side started off with a 9th-minute opener from Khumanthem Taibangnganba Singh as Golmei Apu Kabui doubled their lead in the 32nd minute and Julian Keishing made it 3-0 in the 37th minute, heading into the second period.
Golmei Apu scored his second and team's fourth goal in the 47th minute while NERAU FC's only goal of the game rather came late with Gongshinrei Gonmei (90+1) on target.
KFA too enjoyed a comfortable 4-1 win against their opponents YWC on their way to the semifinals.
Lenboilun Kipgen opened the scoring in the 37th minute and Ngamgouggin Kip-gen (45+2) put their side 2-0 up just before the halftime whistle.
After the break, Kongkham Langomba Meitei reduced the arrears for YWU in the 68th minute but Lengousem Sailo restored KFA's two-goal cushion in the 79th before Kamgouthang Thomsong scored their fourth goal in the dying seconds of stoppage time to made sure KFA cruised into the last four.
GDC, meanwhile, scored a late goal to scrape past Royal Rangers FC 1-0 into the semifinals.
Kh Amarjit Singh was the hero as his goal jn the 85th minute was enough for GDC to earn their place in the last four.
The t wo sides had played out a 2-2 draw in their quarterfinal first-leg match.