Junior Boys' NFC Tier-I : Holders Manipur edge Mizoram 7-6 on penalties to book final ticket
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 07 2026:
Defending champions Manipur beat Mizoram 7-6 on penalties after a 2-2 regulation time draw in an entertaining semi-final clash of the Junior Boys' National Football Championship for Dr BC Roy 2026-27 Tier-I to make their way to the final this morning at Bengaluru Football Stadium.
Group A winners Manipur dominated earlier proceedings and enjoyed a 2-1 first half lead.
Manipur almost walked home 2-1 but Mizoram clawed their way back courtesy of a stoppage time equaliser to extend the match to a penalty shoot-out in which Manipur came out 7-6 winners to set up a final date with West Bengal.
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Manipur drew first blood when Siroi Khwairakpam beat the Mizoram custodian in the 14th minute but Mizoram drew level in the 27th minute through Victor Lalawmpuia to keep the competition open.
Manipur, however, retained the lead in the 44th minute through Heikrujam Jogesh.
Mizoram struggled to equalise in the second half and were denied for a major portion of the half until C Lalhmingropuia found the gap to net the stoppage time equaliser, sending the game to penalty shoot-out.
In the shoot-out, Laishom Subason, Lamyanba Oinam, Siroi Khwairakpam, Thiyam Jenson, Laishram Limax, Kshetrimayum Nodiachand, and Thingnam Joshua found the target as skipper Heikrujam Jogesh was denied.
Meanwhile, Kaleba Lalruatfela, Lalneihsanga, C Lalhmingropuia, Victor Lalawmpuia, Lalnunhlua and Malsawmtluanga scored for Mizoram as Gary Lianlunmanga missed the target and Saizampuia Sailo was denied by Manipur custodian Thangshabam Thomas.
The final match is slated for September 9 .





