64th CC Meet: ASFA FC, SAO triumph in penalties
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 30 2023:
ASFA FC, Saikul and Sena Athletic Organisation (SAO), Kakching prevailed in their respective matches in the preliminary knockout stage-1 of the 64th CC Meet at Artificial Turf Ground, Lamlong Thongkhong on Sunday.
ASFA FC overcame Oriental Club in a nail-biting penalty shootout after the two sides remained 1-1 after the regulation time.
The match went into the penalty shootout after Lupheng Haonunreng Kom put ASFA FC in front in the 79th minute before Chipem Jajo's lastgasp goal forced the 1-1 stalemate.
In the shootout, ASFA FC held their nerves to outscore Oriental Club 6-5 with the help of Haonunreng Kom, Kamneithang Touthang, Lalkhomang Kipgen, Seigouhao Dimngel, Lungouhao Khongsai and Thangmingou Tuboi who all made no mistake in converting their shots.
The second match between SAO and AKSA, Kwakta was also decided by penalty kicks after the squads failed to break a 2-2 deadlock through the end of regulation time.
Salam Ashokumar gave SAO the lead 18 minutes into regulation but Md Jahir Khan's double (36, 69) overturned the scores for AKSA before Laishram Dingku Singh found the leveller in the 85th minute for SAO, leading to the spot kicks where the Kakching side triumphed 4-2 against the Kwakta squad.
Wangkheimayum Suman-da, Salam Ashokumar, Shou-gaijam Loyamba and Mayanglambam Bipin all scored from the spot to propel their team to the next round.