Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 23 2010:
Lajong FC, Shillong rounded off its maiden entry to the Sir Churachand Singh KCSI CBE Memorial Football Tournament with a comfortable victory against TRAU, Kwakeithel in the final match of the competition's 54th edition at Khuman Lampak Main stadium today.
A capacity crowd who occupied almost the entire space available at the sprawling stadium returned home a dejected lot as the local favourites failed to impress against the Shillong outfit, whose domination produced a 3-0 triumph.
The domination was so complete that TRAU's main striker L Tiken managed only one clear attempt at the rival goal.
Lajong went ahead only four minutes into play with Zohmingliana Ralte's diving header from a corner kick taken by Zenith Mashangva.
Rowdiness of the local spectators surfaced as a section of the crowd hurled a water bottle when James Gbilee was celebrating Lajong's second goal that came off a deflection from TRAU defender K Priyokumar in the 66th minute.
Even as the local supporters trickled out of the stadium from halfway stage of the second session Lajong completed the rout with a Gbilee cross connected into goal by Anil Gurung in the 90th minute.
The TRAU defence line had a torrid time in trying to prevent Gbilee from breaking free which he managed on several occasions.
The victory fetched Lajong cash award of Rs 1 lakh and the trophy while the team's Lalthuammawia, Zohmingliana Ralte and Samson Ramengwamia were respectively declared the tournament's best goalkeeper, man of the final match and best mid-fielder of the final.
TRAU had to be content with the runners-up trophy and cash award of Rs 50,000 as AIM, Khabam was handed over the 'fair play trophy'.
KSC, Lambulane's Hanggoulal was adjudged the tournament's best player while Thangoulian of NLYC (Churachandpur) and Ch Risk of XI Star SU shared the top scorer award at four goals apiece.
The male and female Footballer of Year awards were also pre sented during the closing ceremony of the tournament with MPSC's I Nilakumar bagging the men's honour and the women's title going to Y Kamala Devi of NYTHC.
Meanwhile, AFC 'C' licence holder S Maniratan Singh was also honoured with the Coach of the year award.