Asufii FA win Shaheed Manoranjan football title
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 17 2025: In a nail-biting climax to the 15th Shaheed Manoranjan Memorial CRPF Football Tournament 2024-25, Asufii FA emerged triumphant with a 4-2 penalty shootout victory over SFC, Salam after a 1-1 stalemate in normal period, at the SAI Sports Complex in Takyel on Monday, securing the coveted championship title.

The final began as a cagey affair with neither side able to break the deadlock in the first half.

The stalemate was finally shattered in the 60th minute when Asufii's P Sorormi Thingsang capitalised on a defensive lapse to slot home, sending his side into raptures.

However, SFC responded resiliently, with Md Sohail restoring parity in the 71st minute via a clinical finish, ensuring the match hurtled towards a tense penalty decider.

Under mounting pressure, Asufii FA held their nerve in the shootout.

Korou-hanba Laishram, P Sorormi Thingsang, Mathanmi Ningshen, and W Arunkumar all converted their spot-kicks flawlessly, while SFC faltered with two misses, sealing a 4-2 shootout triumph for Asufii.

For SFC, Tensubam Donaldo and Leishang Ronit were the successful scorers.

Asufii FA's path to the final showcased their dominance.

They stormed past KLASA with a commanding 4-0 quarterfinal victory before despatching Juvenile 3-1 in a spirited semifinal clash.

The champions were awarded a cash prize of Rs 3 lakh along with the glittering trophy, while runners-up SFC Salam received Rs 2 lakh and a consolation trophy.

Individual honours were dominated by Asufii's P Sorormi Thingsang, who claimed the highest goal-scorer award (Rs 10,000 plus trophy), while Laishram Suraj Singh earned the best goalkeeper accolade (Rs 10,000 plus trophy).

SFC's Md Sohail, despite ending on the losing side, was named man of the match (Rs 10,000 plus trophy) .

The tournament, a tribute to the late Shaheed Manoranjan, concluded with fervent celebrations as Asufii FA etched their name into their history book, capping a campaign defined by grit, flair, and nerve under pressure.

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