Manipur upstage Chandigarh in campaign opener
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 22 2023:
Manipur made a flying start to their campaign with a 3-1 win over Chandigarh in the 76th National Football Championship for Hero Santosh Trophy 2022-23 at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium on Sunday.
Group VI matches of the tournament are hosted by Manipur.
The Group VI fixtures will run through January 31 .
The hosts were in action mode from the word go and they took just four minutes to move ahead of their opponents.
It was Pangambam Naoba Meitei who registered the first shot bn target that put Manipur 1-0 up.
Gaining the upper hand and dominating possession, the state team were confident upfront and continued their onslaught, unsettling Chandigarh's defence.
Their relentless efforts were rewarded in the 18th minute when Singam Subash Singh made no mistake in sending the ball into the back of the net.
Chandigarh managed to narrow the gap in the 49th minute through Kunal Singh but they failed to make use of the remaining minutes.
Manipur restored their two-cushion in the final stretch of stoppage courtesy of Ronald Singh Shaikhom (90+5) and ultimately ran out 3-1 winners in their campaign opener.
Manipur will next play Himachal Pradesh on January 24 .
Later, Punjab carved out a hard-fought 1-0 triumph against Jharkhand at the same venue.
After a barren first half, the game finally burst into life in the 66th minute with Bhupinder Singh on target for Punjab and his goal eventually proved to be the match clincher.
At ESU Ground, Himachal Pradesh fought back from a goal down to snatch a 2-1 success against Lakshadweep.
Lakshadweep took the lead in the 39th minute through Mohammed Sharreef P but Abhishekh Chaudhary (45+2) made it all square for Himachal seconds before the halftime whistle.
Then it was up to Dheeraj Datta whose 65th-minute strike wrapped up the victory.
Upcoming Group VI fixtures;
January 24: Lakshadweep vs Punjab; Himachal Pradesh vs Manipur; Jharkhand vs Chandigarh.
January 27; Lakshadweep vs Manipur; Punjab vs Chandigarh; Himachal Pradesh vs Jharkhand.
January 29: Lakshadweep vs Chandigarh; Manipur vs Jharkhand; Punjab vs Himachal Pradesh.
January 31: Manipur vs Punjab; Chandigarh vs Himachal Pradesh; Lakshadweep vs Jharkhand.