4th Khundrakpam ZP Level Inter Ward meet: Khundrakpam teams enter final
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 02 2014: The two Khundrakpam teams, namely Khundrakpam Part II and Khundrakpam Pradhan Team entered the final of the 4th Khundrakpam Zilla Parishad Level Inter Ward Football Tournament in contrasting styles beating their respective rivals in the semi-final which were played today.

In the first semi-final of the day, Khundrakpam came from a goal down to beat Chingkhu by a margin of three goals to one.

The team from Khundrakpam Part II were totally taken by surprise as Chingkhu shot into the lead as early as the 1st minute of the match, when Anju capitalised on a defensive lapse and found the net with a well directed shot.

When the first goal came, none of the players from Khundrakpam Part II had even settled down and they had barely touched the ball when they found themselves trailing by one goal to nil.

Stung by the early reversal, Khundrakpam Part II went on the offensive and repeatedly managed to find the gaps in the defence line of Chingkhu.

With the Khundrakpam Part II players all over the field, they toyed around with the ball, making repeated inroads into the territory of Chingkhu.

The relentless attack finally paid off when Bishokumar received a defence splitting cross from the flank and he did well to keep the ball under control and find the net with a rasping shot that left the custodian of Chingkhu rooted to the spot in the 10th minute.

Bolstered by the equaliser, the team from Khundrakpam put more men in the attack and they played to a plan from the 10th minute, making regular forays into the citadel of Chingkhu.

The defence of Chingkhu however rose to the occasion and managed to neutralise all the offensives and the deep run down the flanks, stopping the Khundrakpam Part II players from adding another goal.

The attack nevertheless continued unabated and Bishokumar was at it again when he latched onto the ball at the midfield and went off on a fine solo run.

Once inside the penalty box, he found his other team mates up front and after a couple of exchanges amongst them, the ball came to him in front of the goal mouth.

Bishokumar showed dexterity and composure in trapping the ball and let go a power packed shot that landed on the far side of the net in the 43rd minute of the match to help his team take a one goal lead.

After the lemon break Khundrakpam Part II did not loosen their hold over the game and continued to dictate the pace of the game.

The third goal came against the run of play, when the ball went to an unmarked Bijen of Khundrakpam Part II.

Bijen deftly controlled the ball and after outstepping a couple of defenders sent the ball home with a rasping shot.

The second match of the day between Sinam and Khundrakpam Pradhan Team was an evenly matched one, with both teams showing grit and character.

However lack of finishing touch meant that the match ended in a goalless draw with neither team drawing first blood.

The penalty shoot out was ultimately resorted to and Khundrakpam Pradhan Team showed better composure and managed to keep their cool.

Millan, Romeo and Rahul converted their kicks while all the shooters from Sinam either shot wide or kicked straight to the goal keeper to literally give away the match to the Khundrakpam team.

The third place match will be played tomorrow between Chingkhu and Sinam while the final between the two Khundrakpam teams will be played on June 8 .

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