7th State Level Senior Men Hockey Championship final inconclusive
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 30 2019:
The final match of the 7th edition of State Level Senior Men Hockey Championship organised by Manipur Hockey at Khuman Lampak Hockey Stadium was unable to complete today as a team protested on umpire's decision and staged a walkout when the game was just 5 minutes from time.
SYUC were leading 3-2 against HU, Lairikyengbam Leikai in this keenly contested final.
It was indeed a nip and tuck contest as HU fought back to overturn lead after SYUC enjoyed early dominance and SYUC rallied back to make it 3-2 before the protest erupted.
Which team have won the game and what course of action has been taken up by the organising committee is still awaited till the filing of this report.
The two teams started cautiously and were locked at 1-1 till the end of the first quarter despite numerous scoring chances on the way as HU drew level in the 14th minute through Ricky Tonjam who cooly converted a penalty corner after A Yaiphathoi had found the opener for SYUC three minutes earlier.
In the second quarter, HU completed the turnaround in the 29th minute with Ricky converting another penalty corner being awarded to make it 2-1 till halfway but SYUC bounced back and pulled equaliser in the 37th minute with M Amarjit finding the target to make it anyone's game at the end of the third quarter.
SYUC were able to gain upperhand with M Dhananjoy making a penalty corner count in the 46th minute following a fine effort as soon as they last quarter began.
HU too had plenty of chances to draw parity in the latter part of the game but lack of accuracy and intent held them back and thus SYUC were leading 3-2 .
Herojit Cheshram (28') and Papunao Haobam (31') of HU and N Abung (46') of SYUC were booked green cards in this final match officiated by RK Pritam and Th Roshankumar as umpires, Ch Memcha and Binky L as judges and Ch Bala as technical officer.