Headquarters SC set up seminal clash Muvanlai Athletics
Source: The Sangai Express

Lamka, June 18 2018: Heavyweights Muvanlai Athletics triggered the greatest comeback of the tournament as they overturned a 2 goals deficit to eventually claim a 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory against Lenlai Club after regulation period of a thrilling quarterfinals encounter last Thursday while Headquarters SC's Wahaz two helped his side to sail through to the semifinals today.

Last week's breathless quarterfinals clash which had registered a record crowd for a non-final match taking place at the refurbished Lamka Public Ground was evenly contested with both sides producing sparkling display despite being played in a waterlogged surface.

Lenlai Club made a better start and took a deserved lead just 7 minutes into the game courtesy to a powerful left-foot strike from Mayosing Hongreiwo after smart interchange with strike partner Ginminthang Hangshing.

Muvanlai Athletics revamped their attacking strategy and went on the offensive as skipper Haolengou Kipgen cancelled out Mayo's opener with an exquisite finish in the 13th minute after collecting a cross from Cleaven Hmar.

However, Lenlai Club restored lead in the 17th minute when Mayosing Hongreiwo punished a rare defensive lapse from Muvanlai Athletics with a cool finish from the left hand of the penalty box and a minute later Haokhongam Haokip (10) extended lead for Lenlai Club with a close-range finish.

Despite facing a huge task of overturning a 2 goals deficit, Muvanlai Athletics showed great character and surged forward as they pushed high up the pitch and got their reward when Bedeenpar Moyon finished off a fine attacking move in the 22nd minute with a simple tap-in and 5 minutes later, the score was levelled when Cleaven Hmar struck the equaliser with a smart finish.

Moments later Muvanlai Athletics appeared they had taken the lead for the first time in the match when a Cleaven Hmar's free-kick, which hit the back of the net, was ruled out for an apparent foul on Lenlai Club custodian Chuanthavung in the build-up to the goal and in stoppage time of first-half, a thunderous strike from Haokhongam Haokip (10) was denied by Muvanlai's custodian Tara and the tantalising first-half ended 3-3 .

The match restarted with both sides revamping attack in pursuit of goals but neither side manage to put their nose in front despite launching series of fine attacking move and midway through the second-half, Lenlai Club went close to scoring when substitute Lamthianlal Vaiphei struck the woodwork with a fierce strike from the edge of the penalty box and in the opposite end of the pitch, a fine dribbling effort from Cleaven Hmar ended in disappointment when the former Fateh Hyderabad marksman directed his shot off target from a promising position and moments later hardworking Cleaven Hmar miscued another close-range attempt after beautiful cutback from Bedeenpar Moyon and in added time of the match, Lenlai Club were unlucky not to grab a late winner when a Mayosing Hongreiwo's diagonal cross got stuck in the goal-mouth and the high-voltage quarterfinals clash ended in a 3-3 draw.

In the penalty shoot-out, Muvanlai Athletics goalkeeper G Tara was on show as he denied two spot-kicks to earn his side a 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory that sent his side into the semifinals.

The quarterfinals resumed only today after it was suspended last week due to poor ground condition with the free-scoring Tuiring Youth Organisation taking on Headquarters SC for what will be the last match of the quarterfinals round at Lamka Public Ground, Churachandpur.

With an astonishing 20 goals in 3 matches, Tuiring YO are, by far, the best attacking team but that trend was nipped by Headquarters SC considered the second best defensive side behind Muvanlai Athletics today.

With a goalless draw till the first half, Headquarters SC's Wahaz open the account in the 77th minute but that was soon levelled by Patrick from Turing 4 minutes later.

Wahaz, however managed to find a duel just one minute into added time to hand his team the semifinal berth.

Comment