IW, Ccpur reach men's football semifinals in State Games
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 27 2022: Imphal East and Churachandpur were the first two teams to book semifinal spots in the men's football competition of the 2nd Manipur Olympic Games 2022, following their quarterfinal wins on Saturday at Artificial Turf ground, Lamlong Thongkhong.

Imphal East defeated Kam jong 2 1 to reach the final four.

Bilky Laitonjam put the winning side ahead in the 15th minute and then Y Indranath doubled their lead in the 48th minute.

Ngachanso sparked Kamjong's revival with a 73rd-minute goal but his side were unable to make use of the remaining minutes as Imphal East held on to run out 2-1 winners en route to the semifinals.

Churachandpur, meanwhile, outscored Ukhrul in a penalty shootout for their place in the semifinals.

The game went into the penalty shootout after both sides remained goalless at the end of regulation time.

Churachandpur prevailed 5-3 in the shootout cour tesy of successful strikes by Paogunmuan, Peter, Khupminlun, Lalminlen and Seiminthang.

Earlier in the day, Kakching and Imphal West edged into the quarterfinals.

Kakching fought back from a goal down to claim a 3-2 win over Tamenglong.

Tamenglong took the lead in the 42nd minute through Samuel Pamei but Kakching almost immediately drew level after Andre converted in the 45th minute and they went on to turn the tables on their opponents with goals from Ashokkumar (55') and Samir (65') before Lovesonbou narrowed the deficit in the 68th minute for Tamenglong.

Kakching clung on to seal the victory.

Imphal eked out a 1-0 success against Kangpokpi to earn their quarterfinal berth.

It was Th Kishan who scored the lone goal of the match.

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