15th Manipur State League : AFC thump YPHU 4-2 as United Khawzim Brothers maul Yarkhok United FC 4-0
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 09 2022:
Wahengbam Tejkumar netted twice to hand The Athletics Football Club (AFC)-Thoubal a comfortable 4-2 win over Young Physiques Union (YPHU) -Lalambung in the ongoing 15th Manipur State League at Artificial Turf Ground, Lamlong Thongkhong today.
In today's first Group A league match, AFC were quick off the blocks to create a series of chances and entered into the break with a comfortable 3-1 lead courtesy Wahengbam Tejkumar's double.
Tejkumar caught YPHU keeper by surprise to banged in the opener four minutes into the game before his team mate Premkumar Thangjam doubled the advantage four minutes later.
YPHU pulled back a goal through Lungouhao Hangsing after 18 minutes to make it 2-1 but Tejkumar rose to the occasion and converted another chance to help AFC take two goal cushion.
YPHU looked poised after the restart with midfielders making their relentless efforts to find the gap and under fortuitous circumstance they earned a penalty which Lungouhao converted coolly to reduce the gap to just one goal after 54 minutes.
The goal forced AFC to concentrate more in their defence and attack mostly in counters.
As the game wore on, the two sides started to lose tempo until Moirangthem Malemnganba converted a last ditch effort three minutes into the stoppage time to give AFC a 4-2 win.
In another Group A encounter, United Khawzim Brothers (UKB)-Churachandpur opened their campaign with an overwhelming 4-0 win over Yarkhok United FC (YUFC) .
UKB had a better start of the two sides but faced stiff resistance from YUFC who won their opening match against YPHU 1-0 until Lamthianlal found the breakthrough in the 40th minute.
After taking a slender 1-0 first half lead, UKB gradually gained control of the possession and strung a series of attacks to give YUFC no respite.
YUFC managed to soak up the pressure for a major portion of the half until their wall was breached yet again and Manglienbou Neihsial added UKB's second in the 86th minute.
YUFC's comeback chances further dwindled when Manggoulen netted another for UKB two minutes later.
UKB did not spare any scoring chances as they kept pressing on and Seiminthang Haokip, who came off the bench after 62 minutes, banged in the final nail to the coffin and completed the 4-0 rout of YUFC.
Tomorrow in the Group B matches, AIM-Khabam will play DM RAO, Sekmai from 1 pm before NISA-Thangmeiband take on KIYC-Kshetrigao from 3 pm .