12 th Jiri Cup : ARC thump AFC 2-0 to enter semis
Source: The Sangai Express
Jiribam, February 04 2018:
ARC, Shillong blanked AFC, Thoubal 2-0 today in the third quarter final match of the 12 th Jiri Cup Invitational Football Tournament 2017-18 organised by All Jiribam Sports Association (AJ S A) at Jiribam Higher Secondary playground to start their preparation for the semi-final.
ARC and AFC started off the game with clear intentions defying all intrusive runs made against the either side.
As both teams were evenly matched and unable to open up, the first half ended goalless.
After the restart, ARC entered the field with more purpose coming out of their first half approach.
They threw more men into opponents' half with crisp passing and better understanding in the midfield looking for gaps.
Off such one move, L Robert who was lurking around the past few defenders and unleashed a powerful shot to give his team a deserving 1 -0.Luckless, Thoubal side also had some scoring chances but their on goal attempts went too wide or got easily denied by the custodian of ARC.
The dying minutes of the match saw, ARC taking control of the game and it was a penalty kick that gave ARC the advantage to double the lead and eventually the 2-0 victory.
The penalty which was awarded following a rash challenge by defence of AFC
inside the box in the 87th minute was finished off well by Y Randhan.
Y Randhan, Rocky Kom and Ksh Rakesh of ARC Shillong were yellow carded in the 46th, 57th and 69th minute of the match while Sharuk Khan, Sahidur and Kh Oken of AFC Thoubal were booked yellow cards in the 15th, 59th and 58th minute for their unsporting behaviours.
HISU, Thoubal and JPC, Tripura will face each other in the fourth quarter final match of the tournament to-morrow.