12th Manipur State League SU, AIM eke out narrow wins to remain in top four
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 08 2017: Sagolband United (SU) and AIM, Khabam eked out narrow wins against their respective opponents in the ongoing 12th Manipur State League at Mapal Kangjeibung to remain in the first four top positions on the League table behind KLASA and NEROCA FC who are in the first and second postion respectively .

In the first match of the day, Sagolband United (SU) downed a fighting NACO 1-0 and continue to remain at the third spot after KLASA and NEROCA FC on the League table .

Making their intentions known from the first whistle, SU began to make forays into the territory of the rival team stretching their defence with fast running down the flanks .

Dominating the mid field, SU dictated the pace of the match and the defence line of NACO was stretched to the limit to keep the marauding forward line of SU at bay .

Skipper of SU, Seikhohao Tuboi was instrumental in setting up and scoring the first and only goal of the match when he did well in outstepping a couple of NACO defenders and unleashed a well measured pass from the left side .

Dangmei Gaipuidan of SU who was well placed managed a first ball and released a through pass .

Seikhohao Tuboi who had moved up after passing the ball deftly controlled the ball and after hoodwinking a couple of defenders unleashed a power packed shot that hit the inside of the right post and went into the goal in the 8th minute of the first half .

The early goal goaded the players of NACO to put more men in the attack and try to come back into the match, but all their efforts went in vain .

This was the fifth loss for NACO and they continue to remain at the bottom of the table in the 12 team League .

The second match of the day between AIM, Khabam and FC Zalen, Sadar Hills was a one sided affair with AIM dictating the course of the match and running riot all over the field .

The victory margin of 1-0 would have been much higher if only the midfield and the strikers of AIM had combined better .

With neither team able to find the mark at the end of the first half, AIM put more purpose in their game in the second half and started combining better .

The goal that came in the 55th minute was a classic case of team play with Th Chingkheinganba crossing a well measured pass from the left flank .

Th Vandona who deftly controlled the ball released a well measured aerial pass that was neatly headed home by Gogocha to put AIM ahead .

With today’s loss FC Zalen are lying at the 7th position having played 8 times, won 2, drew thrice and lost thrice.

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