Scorching heat plays spoilsport to state team: Coach
Manipur to fight TN in semis
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, May 23 2012: Manipur is all set to fight Tamil Nadu in the second semi final match of the ongoing 66th Santosh Trophy on May 26 in Cuttack to get a berth in the final clash and claim the trophy which was slipped from their clutch in the previous edition to West Bengal.

Talking to Hueiyen Lanpao over the phone, Chief Coach of Manipur Kh Surmani said that his team is preparing well for the semi final clash and he believed that his team will surely win the trophy this time.

However, the scorching heat of summer which shoots upto 46oC during the daytime is playing spoilsport in their quest to win the trophy.

It is the spirit of the players who puts their best efforts to enter the semi finals and they will continue to push forward their best efforts until they claim the trophy on the penultimate day, he said.

If the officials of the organising committee schedule the timing of the semi final match in night, then it will be an added opportunity for the team as it ismuch cooler to play under floodlight instead of sunlight, he said while urging the people of the state to keep supporting the state team and pray for their victory in the championships.

In today's events, Tamil Nadu played a goalless draw with Railways in their last Quarterfinal Group D League match to advance to the semifinal in the 66th Santosh Trophy.

Tamil Nadu topped Group D and ended with 7 points while Railways came second with 5 points.

In the other Group D match, Delhi blanked Mizoram 3-0 to finish on 3 points while Mizoram ended on point.

For Delhi, Mahendra Singh scored in the 53rd minute while Dhiraj Singh and Kabui scored one apiece in the 78th and the 87th minute respectively.

Services came back from behind to hold hosts Orissa 1-1 and in the process top Group C with 7 points to qualify for the semifinal.

Services play Kerala in the first semifinal on May 25 .

At the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack, Orissa surged into the lead when Gokul Oram converted from the spot in the 33rd minute.

But Services came back strongly in the second half to level proceedings when Jordon Zoramchhana equalised in the 55th minute.

Services finished with 7 points while Orissa ended on 5 points.

Meanwhile, Haryana rode on Abhishek's hattrick to breeze past Chattisgarh 6-1 .

Besides Abhishek, Devendra, Ajay and Habib scored one goal each.

For Chattisgarh, Praveen reduced the margin.

Haryana finished at the third spot in Group C with four points while Chattisgarh couldn't open their account.

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