3rd AMFA Cup : UPA blank IFA 3-0 to finish Group B leaders, ESU finish runners up with 3-1 victory
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 23 2024: UPAA, Kyamgei finished atop Group B table in the 3rd AMFA Cup as they drubbed IFA, Lamphel 3-0 for their third victory today in their final group match at Artificial Turf Ground this evening.

ESU, Wangkhei Palace Compound who handed AMOFA, Moirang a 3-1 defeat earlier in the day to amass 10-points but finished runners up with inferior goal count to UPAA (ESU : 6 against UPAA : 8).Notably, ESU and UPAA played out a goalless draw in their opening tie on June 16 .

In the penultimate Group B match of the tournament Leishangthem Ajay Meitei starred with a double to guide ESU to a 3-1 victory over AMOFA.

Ajay gave ESU the lead early in the 3rd minute before super-sub Sanasam Rahul Singh doubled the advantage two minutes before the lemon break.

After the restart, AMOFA fought back and pulled back a goal through Ninghthoujam Herojit Singh in the 54th minute but the team failed to sustain the momentum and instead saw Ajay making his double in the 81st minute.

ESU then held on to their comfortable 3-1 lead till the final whistle.

In the final group B match, UPAA dominated the earlier proceedings and banged in three goals within 10 minutes before defending their commanding lead in the second half against their Lamphel rivals.

IFA denied early chances but relentless UPAA broke the deadlock through Ngathem Imarson in the 30th minute before Khumanthem Helmet and Md Wazid took their turns to score in the 38th and the 40th minute and made it 3-0 .

IFA struggled to make their way back in the game in the second half but UPAA defence ward off all possible threats tactfully to keep things clean till the end.

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