56th CC Meet: NEROCA to defend title against ARC today
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, January 17 2013:
Now it is upto the players of NEROCA, Sangakpham to retain the champion's title in this season too as they will be defending the title against the newcomer after 12 years Assam Regimental Centre (ARC) in the final match of the ongoing 56th Sir Churachand Singh KCSI, CBE Memorial Football Tournament (CC Meet) organised by AMFA at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium, Imphal.
Defending Champion NEROCA who had won the tournament twice and finished as runner up twice, defeated KSC, Lambulane with a solitary goal in the second semi final match and enter final.
On the other hand, ARC who returned after a gap of 102years defeated TRAU with a solitary goal and made their way into the final.
The waiting will be over tomorrow evening as the two teams lock horns with one another for the champion's trophy which carries a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh at 1 pm at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium.
Being one of the oldest football tournament in the whole North East India, football fans are gearing up to witness the final match between the two strong contenders fighting for the coveted trophy.
As held every year, AMFA will be distributing the Best Footballer of the Year Awards for Male and Female during the prize distribution ceremony which will be held just after the final match tomorrow.
AMFA has also announced the winner of the awards today.
Man Footballer of the Year award will be conferred to Mutum Raj, custodian of NEROCA while I Prameshwari of ESU, Wangkhei was selected for the Woman Footballer of the Year Award.
Tayenjam Ibomcha, AFC C Licence holder who is the present coach of NEROCA will be conferred the Best Coach of the Year Award.
Besides there will be awards for Fair Play, Top Scorer, Man of the Final Match, Best Defender, Best Midfielder, Best Referee, Best Goalkeeper and Best Striker of the Final Match which will be distributed tomorrow.
Meanwhile, both teams are all set for the summit clash.
While talking to Hueiyen Lanpao, NEROCA coach T Ibomcha said that his team will play tomorrow's match with a firm determination to defend the title.
Some of his boys who got injured are well now and they are fit to play the match.
Chakravorty who was issued a red card in the quarter final round will play the final match, he said.
He further said that ARC players are players of the soil and they have good speed and stamina.
Moreover they have the skills to be a good winner.
However his team is also a good team and they will put their best effort in tomorrow's match to defend the champion's title.
Mention may be made that NEROCA had won the champion's title twice in 2002 and 2011.They also finished in the second spot in 2002 and 2008 .
On the other hand, ARC's coach Hemam Jembo who is also an AFC 'C' License holder said that his team cruised into the final without any difficulty so far.
Since they have come this far, his players will give their best efforts to win the trophy, said a confident Jembo.
Mention may be made that ARC was defeated by SSB in the semi final round in the 2000 edition of the tournament and they have not participated in any future edition since then.
After a gap of 12 years, they are participating in the tournament to make their space in the roll of honour.
Comment
