1st Dr L Bhagyachandra Memorial Invitation Football Tournament
NISA down TRUGPU but fail to make semis cut
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 25 2014: A win it was but in the end it turned out to be a heart break for North Imphal Sporting Association, Thangmeiband at the 1st Dr L Bhagyachandra Memorial Invitation Football Tournament at the last league match of the day today.

The team from Thangmeiband downed TRUGPU, Nambol by two goals to one but failed to make it to the semi-final stage as they were knocked out on better goal difference with three teams in the Group garnering 6 points each with two wins and one loss.

FC Khanglai won played thrice, won two and lost one, TRUGPU and NISA also recorded the same but ultimately NISA had to pay the price as they scored two less goals than TRUGPU, with four goals while the team from Nambol scored 6 and FC Khanglai scored 8 goals and conceded two in the league phase.

Knowing that a score line of at least 2 goals to nil was what they needed to advance to the next stage of the tournament, NISA started off well but were soon in trouble as two of their players were sent off in the 26th minute and 35th minute.

Rajendro of NISA was shown the red card for a foul on Suresh Rai in the 26th minute and Sanatomba was sent off for unsporting behaviour in the 35th minute.

Two men down, but this did not dampen the spirit of NISA as their players spread out far and wide and matched TRUGPU man to man and came up with better team play.

Going on the offensive in their search for a place in the last four, Michael of NISA latched onto the ball near the top of the penalty box and let go a powerful volley.

Defender Amilkumar of TRUGPU desperately tried to block the ball, but the ball hit leg and ran over the goalline resulting in a self goal in the 49th minute.

The lemon break was taken with NISA leading by one goal to nil.

Needing at least two goals to advance to the next stage, NISA did not loosen their hold on the game and dictated the pace of the match.

The open and free flowing style of NISA yielded dividends when N Jimmy snatched the ball and after side stepping a couple of defenders released a defence splitting pass to Golmei who was lurking near the goal mouth.

Golmei showed the right temperament and skill in controlling the ball neatly and let go a power packed shot that rustled the net of TRUGPU in the 63rd minute to help his team make it two goals to nil.

Keeping the statistics in mind, TRUGPU under the knowledge that if they pull one back, they would advance to the last four stage, put more men in the attack and started finding the gaps in the defence line of NISA.

At this point of time, the players of TRUGPU had started dominating the midfield and down by two men, the NISA players were hard pressed to keep pace with the forward line of TRUGPU.

In the 73rd minute, TRUGPU initiated a dangerous move from the down the flank and found I Dhiren well placed to take a shot at the target.

Ng Sona of NISA made a desperate bid to dispossess Dhiren but ended up fouling him inside the penalty box.

The referee did not hesitate in awarding a penalty to TRUGPU and also yellow carded Ng Sona.

It was left to G Anthony Kabui, who took the penalty kick to decide the outcome of the match and he made no mistake.

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