12th Manipur State League FC Zalen down TRAU, NISA edge past YPHU
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 05 2017: Won/defeated by the odd goal in three.

A missed penalty.

Heated arguments that stalled the match for about 25 minutes at the fag end of the match (90+5 min), tense moments .

These about summed up the high octane match between FC Zalen and TRAU at the 12th Manipur State League underway at Mapal Kangjeibung today .

Watched by about 1500 spectators, the match got off to a lively start with both teams putting their best foot forward intent on bettering their standings on the League table .

It was however the team from Sadar Hills which showed better understanding of the game with some quick running and crisp passes in the mid field .

Dictating the pace of the game, FC Zalen began to call the shots and they made good use of the flanks to stretch the defence line of TRAU to good effect .

A swift run down the left flank saw a winger of FC Zalen running deep into the left corner of the territory of TRAU from where a long ball was unleashed into the penalty area of the team from Kwakeithel .

The cross from the left flank caught the defenders of TRAU napping and Paolenlal of FC Zalen who was well placed inside the D box had little trouble in controlling the ball and sending it into the net of TRAU in the 30th minute to help his team surge ahead .

Stung by the reversal, TRAU put more men in the attack and started piling up the pressure, controlling the mid field and making some quick runs into the territory of FC Zalen .

The equaliser could have come sooner but for poor marksmanship of the TRAU forward line, who could not find the target
Off one such defence splitting move, the ball went to Seiminthang of TRAU who neatly controlled the ball and after outstepping a couple of defenders beat the custodian of FC Zalen with a rasping shot in the 39th minute to put his team back into the match .

Lemon break was taken with the scoreline reading 1-1 .

After the breather, FC Zalen went on the offensive and tried the find the gaps in the defence line of TRAU and managed to make inroads deep into their territory where Lamgoulen received a defence splitting pass .

Lamgoulen did well to control the ball and let go a power packed shot that beat the custodian of TRAU hands down in the 59th minute to help his team, FC Zalen take the lead again .

Stung by the one goal lead, TRAU again put more purpose in their game and went out all the way to find the equaliser .

Taking the ball into the penalty box of FC Zalen, TRAU forwards were all over the place and in the melee that followed, the ball hit the hand of a defender of FC Zalen .

The assistant referee raised the flag indicating the ball handling incident prompting the referee to point to the dreaded spot .

This led to a heated argument and the match was stalled for about 25 minutes .

Ultimately Ng Prem Singh took the penalty kick, but the custodian of FC Zalen, Tajuddin alias Sana rose to the occasion and managed to save the kick to secure victory for FC Zalen .

At the end of the 7th round, FC Zalen are standing at the 6th position after playing seven matches, winning two, drawing three and losing 2 while TRAU are at the 8th position having played 7 matches, won 2, drew two and lost thrice .

In the second match of the day, NISA completely dominated the match and won by 1-0 against YPHU, the lone goal coming in the 45th minute of the match through L Gouro Singh.

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