Ibungoyaima Memorial Veteran Hockey : MEIRAA finish atop as league round concludes, stage set for semis
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 12 2019: MEIRAA stretched their winning run to four as the league stage of the 4th Khumukcham Ibungoyaima Memorial Men's Veteran Hockey Tournament came to an end today.

MEIRAA along with three other teams (out of the total 5 teams) will be competing in the semi-finals which will be commencing from June 14.MEIRAA successfully sealed their four of the four wins of the league round today beating COSMO, Wangkhei by 3-1 goals at Hockey Stadium, Khuman Lampak.

Although the game was a low scoring one, the competition between the two teams were tense as it could have alter league standing and semi-final fixture.

COSMO, Wangkhei were awarded a penalty corner against the 4 awarded to the Bashikhong side, but neither side could make their effort count forcing them to work hard on field goals.

MEIRAA started the game with a bang as B Inaomacha hit the opener early in the second minute before Th Birjit chipped in another in the 10th minute to hand MEIRAA a 2-0 lead in the first quarter.

Ibungoyaima Memorial Veteran Hockey : MEIRAA finish atop as league round concludes, stage set for semis

MEIRAA's Th Subhash then struck the last goal in the 24th minute after Th Thabal of COSMO pulled back a goal two minutes earlier.

Efforts on both ends in the second half did not materialise and eventually the game ended 3-1 in favour of MEIRAA, enabling them finish league leader.

Th Subhas of MEIRAA was named player of the match.

MEIRAA will be meeting COSMO again in the semifinal on June 14 at 1.30 pm as the latter finished third in the league stage while YAC, Yaiskul which finished second in the league round will meet 4th placed Hockey Union Lairikyengbam Leikai in the second semifinal latter at 3 pm.

Meanwhile, the final line up of the 2nd Ph Sushilkumar Singh Memorial Women's Veteran Hockey Tournament was also completed today with the completion of league stage.

NCMM, Sabal Leikai will lock horns with LYTNM, Mantripukhi in the final on June 16 at 1.30 pm.

The last league match of the women's competition saw LYTNM cruise to a 5-1 win against PET, Khuman Lampak in a one sided match.

P Tilotama of the Mantripukhri side also walked away as the player of the match.

LTYNM enjoyed most of the possession and scoring chances and it was Ch Sunibala who hit the opener in the opening minute itself while P Enaomacha doubled the team's league in the 16th minute before star of the day P Tilotama struck two goals back to back in the 18th and the 19th minute.

Jogita chipped in the last goal for the team in the 20th minute before N Rita converted a penalty corner to give PET a face saving goal in the 26th minute.