Zou Gal Centenary Shield 2017-18 : Heartbreak for Lenlai Club as Ganggam SC lift title
Source: The Sangai Express

Ccpur, January 08 2018: FC Zalen hitman Gogou Hangshing earned a second-half penalty and converted the same as Ganggam Soccer Club of Chiengkawnpang clinched the historic Zou Gal Centenary Shield 2017-18 with a 1-0 victory over cross-locality rivals Lenlai Club in yesterday's tense final match played at Lamka Football Ground, Churachandpur.

In the day's final clash played in front of a strong 15,000 crowd at the reconstructed Lamka football ground, both sides began the match in a tense note with each side adopting a highly offensive game.

But it was Ganggam SC who came closest to scoring inside the opening 10 minutes as marksman Ginminthang Hangshing saw his glancing strike from the edge of the penalty box denied lately by Lenlai Club custodian Joseph Lalmalsawm.

Zou Gal Centenary Shield 2017-18 : Heartbreak for Lenlai Club as Ganggam SC lift title

Moments later, Lenlai Club had another point to thank their goalkeeper as he denied Ganggam SC from scoring with a point-blank save from a Boigen Neihsial's effort.

Meanwhile, at the opposite end of the pitch, the attacking duo of Haokhongam Haokip and Manipur State League hitman with KLASA Jerry Pulamte of Lenlai Club threatened to score at several interval and despite both sides pushing high for the opener, the evenly contested first-half ended scoreless.

The second-half saw Ganggam SC taking an early lead through a Gogou Hangshing's penalty after the striker was brought down inside the penalty box.

Despite Lenlai Club responding with all-out efforts, they were thwarted off by the strong defence of Ganggam SC, who conceded just 3 goals in the entire tournament, and with Ganggam SC playing deep to preserve their lead, Lenlai Club continued to rally late as they searched for the equaliser.

Towards the closing stages of the game, Ganggam SC custodian Ngamkhohao made strings of fine saves to deny Jerry Pulamte and Lalrinthanga from snatching late equaliser and the highly entertaining final match ended 1-0 in favour of Ganggam SC.

The grand closing ceremony of the tournament was graced by Letpao Haokip, Minister, Water Resources and YAS, Government of Manipur; Shyam Lal Poonia, Deputy Commisioner, Churachandpur and Rakesh Balwal, Superintendent of Police, Churachandpur as the chief guest, functional president and guest of honour respectively.

Besides, hosts of dignitaries from both Government and NGOs attended the programme.

The tournament was played with the participation of 31 clubs affiliated under DSA-Churachandpur with the tournament being organised in commemoration of the 100th year of the First World War of 1917-19 where forefathers of the Zou Community fought against the mighty Britishers to protect the territory of Southern part of Manipur.

Gangnam SC were honoured with Zou Gal Shield and a cash prize of Rs 1,00,000 while runners up Lenlai Club were awarded Rs 50,000 along with Zou Gal Shield.

Promising Player of the Tournament title went to Johnson Manlun of United Khawzim Brothers.

Gogou Hangshing of Ganggam SC who scored 10 goals in 7 games bagged the top scorer award while his team mate Jangneithang (19) was declared man-of-the-final match.

Safe Hand Award (Best Goalkeeper) went to Rommel Neihsial of FC Zogene and fair play award was recieved by Bungmual YC .