1st DSA Trophy TRAU edge out KPSC to enter final
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 17 2017: Ultimately it the ability to keep their cool and not buckle under immense pressure that saw TRAU, Kwakeithel edge past KPSC, Kakching to enter the final of the 13th DSA trophy at the ground of DSA, Kakching today.

Both teams started the match warily, each sizing up the other and not really opening up to go in the for the kill.

Chances did come the way of either team, but both failed to capitalise on them and shut the match.

The spectators who had turned up in large drove were treated to a spectacular match and DSA took full home advantage with the crowd backing and cheering them all the way.

1st DSA Trophy TRAU edge out KPSC to enter final

However the defence line of TRAU lived up to the challenge at hand and managed to nullify all moves of the players of the Kakching team.

Both teams kept their defence line tight and relied on quick counter attacks treating the spectators to some spectacular moves and counter moves.

However all their efforts went in vain as both sides locked up their defence line with some tight man marking.

With no team dominating the midfield, the flanks were used to raid each others' territory frequently.

With the defence lines of both teams under immense pressure, the goal keepers of the two teams were also tested to the limit.

The spectators were treated to some good saves by the goal keepers of either side.

The match ended in a draw, but the match was far from slow and tedious.

Defence may well have been at the top priority of either team, but the match did not lack good moves, especially from the flanks.

The result was both teams relied more on the long, aerial balls.

After the long whistle both teams were locked in a goalless draw.

With the organisers of the tournament doing away with extra time, a penalty shoot out was ultimately resorted to.

Even in the penalty shoot out the two teams were evenly matched and the two custodians did live up to the tasks at hand, boosting the morale of their penalty shooters.

Ultimately it was mental strength which saw TRAU walk away with the honours.

Keeping their cool, all the five penalty kickers managed to find the target.

The penalty takers of KPSC did give them a good fight, but ultimately one buckled under pressure and could only tamely kicked the ball, denying KPSC a much needed goal.

For TRAU, Sushil, Phalguni, Meiraba, Md Amir and Vandana all managed to convert their kicks, while for KPSC, only four of them that is Sanjitkumar, Ramesh, Tyson and Shushilkumar managed to find the target.

TRAU won the match by the margin of 5-4 goals via the tie breaker.

Tomorrow, SAO Kakching will meet HISU Thoubal in the second semifinal.