Imphal, December 18: Defending champions Eastern Sporting Union Wangkhei (ESU) retained the Shirui Lily Silver Jubilee Football tournament narrowly edging past YSWA 1-0 in the final match of the tournament played at Naga Long ground Ukhrul today.

The tournament which was participated by 13 teams from different parts of the State was organised by the Ukhrul Dist Football Association under the aegis of All Manipur Football Association.

With none of the teams from the Ukhrul dist reaching the final, ESU and YSWA began the match in a very fast pace with both teams attacking the opponents citadel.

However, as the match proceeded, the match began to sway in favour of ESU as its players began to dominate the play by launching a series of attacks at the YSWA goal.

Despite the territorial advantage enjoyed by the ESU players, the opening goal eluded the ESU strikers as the YSWA players defended their goal mouth by pulling back all their players into their own half.

The all important goal of the match was scored by Rohen who headed a well directed cross by M Mathew from the right flank in the 32 minute of the match.

The second half too began in a very high pace with YSWA players making an all out attempt to equalise the goal but failed in all their attempts due to the hardworking ESU medios who played their heart and souls to hold on to their one goal advantage till the very last minute of the match.

Winners ESU was awarded a cash prize of Rs 35,000 along with a running trophy while the runners up YSWA Utlou was given a cash prize of Rs 25,000 along with a running trophy.

Aleng Football Academy Ukhrul bagged the fair play award with a cash prize of Rs 3,000 while the best goalkeeper award with a cash prize of Rs 2000 went to Kh Naoba Singh of PYC.

Herojit Singh of YSWA with four goals and AS Somaya of NISA bagged the highest scorer and player of the tournament award respectively.

The highest scorer award carried a cash prize of Rs 2000 while the player of the tournament award carried a cash prize of Rs 2000 along with a certificate.

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