Manipur in the final of Santosh Trophy beating Services

Guwahati, May 26, 2011

SEMI FINAL MATCH:
MANIPUR Vs SERVICES

2002 Champions Manipur enters the Final of the Santosh trophy 2011 after a gap of 9 years. The winning goal was scored by L Thoiba via a Penalty kick during extra time.

Final score:
Manipur 1-0 Services

L Thoiba in action during the semi-final match - Photo - The Sangai Express

Manipur Team members:

1. L Premkumar (NISA)
2. N Ingo Singh (TRUGPU)
3. K Reagan (NISA)
4. Y Hemanta (TRAU)
5. L Ratan Singh (NISA)
6. K Naoba (AR)
7. S Thomas (NEROCA)
8. S Piba Singh (TRAU)
9. E Abocha (TRAU)
10. S Manimohon Singh (NISA)
11. Th Santosh (AIM)
12. I Ajitkumar Singh (AR)
13. L Thoiba (AR)
14. S Herojit (TRAU)
15. I Nilakumar (MPSC)
16. L Tiken Singh (TRAU)
17. N Jimmy (NISA)
18. Kh Naoton Singh (AIM)
19. L Nabachandra Singh (NISA)
20. Meikingai Kamei (AR)

From indiablooms.com

Manipur cruise into Santosh finals

In the first semifinal played on Thursday at the Nehru Stadium, Assam, former champions Manipur and Services failed to break the jinx in the regulation time, however Manipur, who looked a better side out of the two, managed to notch up the winner in the 11th minute of the second half of the extra time.

It was Manipur who dictated the terms right from the outset and could have taken the lead at the stroke of half time, but to Manipur’s despair Tikem Singh failed to convert two easy chances.

Manipur continued to pile on the pressure on their opponent and came close to break the deadlock on a couple of occasions in the second session of the play as well, but an alert Services goalkeeper, Robikanta Singh stood as the only hope curtailing numerous Manipur’s attack.

With the scoreline reading 0-0 after the end of 90 minutes, extra time came into play with Manipur once again showing their intentions clearly right from the word go. Once again Tikem Singh and Jimmy Singh failed to find the target.

However, Manipur's hard work paid off when Thoiba Singh converted from the spot. Services defender P. Sumesh was caught handling the ball inside the box resulting in a penalty in favour of the Manipur.