Jr Boys' NFC Tier II Washington nets last-gasp equaliser as Manipur hold Nagaland to 4-4 draw
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 03 2024: Ngangom Washington scored deep into the stoppage time to help Manipur salvage a 4-4 draw with Nagaland in an entertaining Group A tie of the Junior Boys' National Football Championship for Dr B.C Roy Trophy 2024-25 (Tier II) this afternoon at Nurul Amin Stadium in Nagaon, Assam.

With the result, Manipur maintained their position on top of the group table on 7 points having sealed two back to back wins in the previous matches.

Haryana who have won twice and drawn once in four matches are second on same 7 points while Nagaland are third on 5 points from 1 win and two draws in three matches.

Unbeaten in their previous two matches, both Manipur and Nagaland started confidently but Nagaland were first to draw blood in the 27th minute when Moamanen made the most of a chance.

The lead however did not last long as Md Arish who subbed in for Irungbam Arjun Singh after 30 minutes put Manipur back into the game by scoring the equaliser two minutes away from the halftime.

After the restart, Manipur overturned the lead through Mansur Alam in the 51st minute but Nagaland fought back valiantly and drew level through Nahpan in the 57th minute.

Nagaland kept their momentum intact and turned the game on their head with Ayhunlo Chung netting the team's third five minute later.

Undeterred Manipur did not lose heart and responded well and returned into the game once again with Shitaljit Haorungbam finding the equaliser in the 69th minute.

Clinical Nagaland resurged yet again and put their nose ahead with Menolhusie Rino scoring the team's fourth goal in the 79th minute.

Nagaland were poised to win 4-3 but Ngangom Washington scored five minutes into the stoppage time to salvage Manipur a point and shatter their rivals' hopes of securing all three points.

Manipur will face Lakshadweep in the last Group match on August 5 .

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