10th Shaheed Manoranjan Memorial Football : YPHU beat NESU on penalties after late surge, WYFC progress
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 26 2020: YPHU, Lalambung staged late comeback to draw level and beat NESU, Khurai 6-4 on penalties for the third round berth at the ongoing 10th Shaheed Manoranjan Singh Memorial as WYFC, Wangjing edged out GDC, Thinungei 4-2 riding on Y Suraj's double in a first round clash.

In the first match of the day, NESU started strongly but lost ground to YPHU in the latter half before settling the normal time in a 3-3 draw.

Eventually the game was stretched to penalty shoot-out wherein spirited YPHU came out on top with three goals against NESU's single thereby making the final score read 6-4.K Shitaljit Meitei drew first blood in the 21st minute rounding off a fine chance before he grabbed his brace in the 30th minute to hand NESU a 2-0 lead.

NESU remained in control with N Jenish netting the team's third but YPHU who were under immense pressure for the major portion of the first half pulled back a goal one minute away from the break via Lunkhongam Haokip.

The morale boosting goal did wonders to YPHU as N Olen Singh further reduced the gap with his goal in the 52nd minute.

NESU looked to seal the game as the game progressed and YPHU continued to toil hard for the equaliser but it was deep into injury time (90+5') that L Monish Singh made an effort count to make it 3-3 at the end of the normal time.

In the shoot-out, L Monishm N Olen and Lunkhongam beat NESU keeper to hand YPHU a 6-4 win as only Mathanmi Ningsen found the target for NESU.

Meanwhile, in a first round clash, WYFC had a dominating start and took a 2-1 first half lead before adding to more goals in the second half to ensure 4-2 finish.

Leingakpa put WYFC ahead just two minutes into game and surprisingly GDC pulled level two minutes latter through N Maheshchan.

Y Suraj then finished off a fine move in the 28th minute to help WYFC retain the lead.

S Naoba further extended WYFC's lead with a fine shot in the 53rd minute as GDC struggled to fine their lost rhythm before Y Suraj rose again and completed his double in the 75th minute.

GDC had a short comeback with Ch Lemba netting the team's second but their latter effort proved futile and eventually WYFC closed out the game 4-2 and sealed the next round berth.

JSYC will face Muvanlai Athletics in an all Kangpokpi second round clash tomorrow at 1 am at SAI Sports Complex, Takyel.

JSYC had dumped out YUFC, Ukrhul 4-0 in their first round clash while Muvanlai Athletics edged out SU 3-1 .

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