2nd JA Dist Level Mens' Open Football meet : IYA Wairi edge past YPO to lift trophy
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 16 2014:
In a pulsating final, IYA Wairi managed to overcome YPO Sora by a first half goal in the final of the 2nd JA District Level Mens' Open Football Championship today.
With both teams coming into the final showing their mantle in the earlier parts of the tournament, the two teams took to the field wary of each other.
Both teams adopted a more defensive approach relying on quick counter attacks.
Evenly matched for the better part of the match, it was the team from Wairi which however emerged the champion thanks to a splendid goal from Somananda in the 34th minute of the match.
The goal was a culmination of a fine run down the flank and Somananda who was lurking near the penalty box of YPO received a well measured pass.
Neatly controlling the ball and after wrong stepping a couple of defenders, Somananda had little difficulty in despatching the ball past the custodian of YPO.
YPO put more men in the attack in the second half to come back into the match, but the defence line of IYA stood firm and managed to keep the ball at bay.
Launching a series of attack, YPO went all out to find the equaliser but their efforts went in vain as the defenders of IYA marked the forward lines tightly and did not give them enough space to take a good look at the goal.
The winning team walked away with the rolling team along with a cash prize of Rs 20,000 while the runners up had to settle for Rs 10,000 and a rolling trophy.
The best player of the tournament went to the goalkeeper of IYA, Joychandra while the top scorer award was bagged by Henba of IYA with a tally of six goals.
The fair play award went to TUC Thongjao.