Santosh Trophy: Manipur stroll to second straight win in Group VI
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 24 2023: Moirangthem Malemnganba scored twice as Manipur registered their second straight victory with a 5 -2 drubbing of Himachal Pradesh in their Group VI match of the 76th National Football Championship for Hero Santosh Trophy 2022-23 at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium on Tuesday.

The home team dominated proceedings right from the start, going on the offensive as they kept their opponents busy in the defence.

It hardly took live minutes for Manipur to gain the upper.

Moirangthem Malemnganba was on target to put the hosts ahead and Yami Longvah doubled the lead in the 37th minute before Kis han Thongam made his effort count in the 41st minute to make it 3-0, heading into the second period.

Himachal Pradesh reduced the arrears in the 57th minute through Sourash Kumar.

But Malemnganba got Manipur's momentum back after scoring his second goal in the 61st minute before Ronald Shaikhom rounded off the team's collection with a 74th-minute strike.

Himachal found their second goal in the 85th minute through Hemant Thakur but it was too little too late as Manipur stood their ground to register their second straight victory.

Earlier, Punjab notched up a comfortable 3-0 triumph against Lakshadweep.

Amarpreet Singh opened the scoring in the 15th minute as Parmjt Singh extended the advantage in the 80th minute before Bhupinder Singh (90+30) closed out the game with a goal in the final seconds of stoppage.

Jharkhand, meanwhile, eked out a 1-0 success against Chandigarh in other Group VI match.

Birsha Tudu's 67th-minute goal was enough for his side to collect all three points.

Upcoming Group VI fixtures:
January 27: Lakshadweep vs Manipur; Punjab vs Chandigarh; Himachal Pradesh vs Jharkhand.
January 29: Lakshadweep vs Chandigarh; Manipur vs Jharkhand; Punjab vs Himachal Pradesh.
January 31: Manipur vs Punjab; Chandigarh vs Himachal Pradesh; Lakshadweep vs Jharkhand .

Comment