76th NFC for Santosh Trophy Group VI : Manipur thrash Himachal Pradesh 5-2 to extend winning run
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 24 2023: Manipur overwhelmed Himachal Pradesh by 5-2 goals for the second straight victory in the Group VI competition of the 76th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy here at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium this afternoon.

Having won 3-1 against Chandigarh in the opening tie, hosts Manipur carried forward their fine form and raced to a 3-0 first half lead before sealing the game 5-2 courtesy a brace from Moirangthem Malemnganba.

Manipur found the lead just 5 minutes into the game as Moirangthem Malemngana headed home the ball from a close range following a fine cross from the right flank to catch the Himachal Pradesh custodian by surprise.

76th NFC for Santosh Trophy Group VI : Manipur thrash Himachal Pradesh

Manipur continued to press hard and took a 2-0 lead when Yami Longvah made the most of a chance in the 37th minute after M Malemnganbi missed his shot in a goal-mouth melee.

Kishan Singh Thongam then flicked home a fine cross by Manipur skipper Subash from the left flank in the 41st minute to make it 3-0 .

After the break, Himachal Pradesh pulled back a goal in the 57th minute when substitute Sourabh Kumar who was lurking around the 18 yard box, tactfully snatched a backpass meant for Manipur's Kishan inside the box to beat Manipur's keeper Ngamsanglena Haokip.

Manipur fought back soon enough and had the three goal cushion restored yet again thanks to Moirangthem Malemnganba who executed a one-two well around the box and brought it well inside the box before cracking a fine shot to bury the ball into the net in the 61st minute.

Ronald Singh Shaikhom then extended the lead to 5-1 after 74 minutes as he tucked in a fine cross from none other than Singam Subash who scampered down the right flank to receive a through-ball.

Himachal Pradesh pulled back another goal when Hemant Thakur headed home a cross from the right flank five minutes away from time.

Elsewhere at ESU ground, Jharkhand beat Chandigarh 1-0 thanks to Birsha Tudu's 67th minute strike.

Earlier in a morning tie at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium, Punjab who beat Jharkhand 1-0 in their opening game, eased to a 3-0 win over Lakshadweep.

Amarpreet Singh gave Punjab the lead after 15 minute before Paramjit Singh (80') and Bipul Kala (90+2') added a goal apiece in the second half to complete the 3-0 rout.

January 27 matches
Lakshadweep vs Manipur at Main Stadium from 10 am
Punjab vs Chandigarh at Main Stadium from 2 pm
Himachal Pradesh vs Jharkhand at ESU ground from 2 pm .