Imphal, October 21: Youth Welfare Club (YWC), Thambalkhong came from behind to upset Manipur Police sports Club (MPSC) by the odd goal in three in the opening match of the 2nd Manipur State League football tournament at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium today.

The lung opener marked by lack of team cohesion, lethargic approach and amateurish strike of the ball by frontline players of both sides, particularly in the second session, saw MPSC take the lead 14 minutes into the game when Ng Jenendra tapped home from close range from an I Nillakumar cross from the left.

somochandra could have doubled the lead in the same session itself when MPSC was awarded a penalty kick after Ng Rabi's desperate attempt to prevent a Ksh Kanta shot was ruled handball.

However, the Thambalkhong custodian Kh Sushilkumar anticipated the shot correctly to keep his team in the hunt for the equaliser.

Eventually, in the 57th minute of the match, Kh Bobichand tied the score with a header with his back to the post from a throw-in by L Chandramani before the YWC scorer fed S Herojit to seal the game in the 62nd with another decisive header.

apart from the missed penalty, MPSC paid dearly for its strikers failing to convert half chances into goals in the last quarter of the match.

Police player Dolmei Kamson became the first to booked when match official L Ajit flashed the yellow for time wasting in the 25th minute.

Th Santosh (66th) and Anand Kamei (74th) were also booked in the match.

Earlier, the opening ceremony of the League being participated by 12 top teams was held with Sports Minister N Biren and Education Minister L Jayantakumar as the chief guest and president respectively.

AFC Development Officer Suvratta Thate also graced the occasion as a special guest.

The competition is being organised by AMFA under the Vision India Project (Manipur Chapter) of AFC to produce top class footballers.

AMFA secretary L Ranjit Roy in his presentation announced that AFC had conveyed assurances to extend financial support to the participating teams for a two year period beginning from the current edition of the League with a condition that money so provided should not be utilised in player transfer (purchase).

other conditions of the AFC as listed by Ranjit Roy include participation by no less than 10 teams in a league season, at least 18 matches by each clubs/teams, organising club development programmes, mandatory appointment of a coach holding AFC 'C' certificate, conducting AFC Referee Preparatory course and stamp of performance approval (standard) of the League by the AIFF and AFC.

An MoU will be signed between the AMFA and AFC soon, he added.

The League's next matches on October 23 will feature SSU Vs NISA, ESU Vs RACC, TRAU Vs PYC, NEROCA Vs AMOFA and USA Vs KFC.

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