11th Manipur State League NACO stun FC Zalen, SSU down USA
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 27 2016: Riding on a brace by Madhumangol, NACO, Nambul Mapan stunned last year finalists FC Zalen, Sadar Hills 2-1 in the ongoing 11th Manipur State League today while SSU, Singjamei edged past USA, Khurai by a margin of five goals to three.

Winners of today's matches NACO and SSU move out of the relegation zone.

The results also impeded FC Zalen's campaign to top the league table.

In the first encounter, both NACO and FC Zalen made a positive start.

NACO netted twice in the first half.

FC Zalen were not without scoring chances.

But their strikers Seikhohao Tuboi and Thangtinlen Haokip miserably missed a chance each in the first half.

11th Manipur State League NACO stun FC Zalen, SSU down USA

Th Madhumangol slammed home the opener for NACO in the 38th minute as his attempt through a pass from H Johnson found the net of their opponents.

In a span of six minutes from the first goal, NACO doubled the lead as Th Madhumangol was at it again.

The teams went to break with NACO's 2-0 lead intact.

After the breather, the Sadar Hills outfits pushed hard to find the equalisers and surged raiding their opponents' territory.

The goal difference was reduced as Paolenlal Khongsai, who came off the bench, pulled one back for FC Zalen in the 74th minute through a pass from Patrick Kamei.

The Sadar Hills strikers continued playing attacking game in the dying minutes.

However, they were denied any chance to restore parity as NACO defenders thwarted all attempts.

In another encounter, relegation threatened SSU and USA played out a stiffly contested match which has been recorded as the highest scoring match in the current season of MSL.

SSU rode on a treble by L Gogocha to register a convincing 5-3 victory over USA.

T Raju opened the scoring for SSU as he comfortably converted a free kick in the 14th minute.

The lead was short-lived as Jangkhokai Kilong of USA levelled the score in the 24th minute.

SSU took the lead once again in the 36th minute as L Gogocha netted one with ease.

In a span of eight minutes, L Gogocha booted home his second through a pass from Md Imran Khan to make it 3-1.The first half ended with SSU taking an easy 3-1 lead.

After the break, Md Imran Khan found the net of USA in the 66th minute through a pass from Md Sahidur Rehman.

Undaunted USA pushed hard to level the score.

They were rewarded for their efforts as P Dingampu slotted home one in the 73rd minute to make the score 4-2.Jangkhokai Kilong was at it again as his superb header through a pass from T Sushil found the net of their opponents in the 77th minute.

L Gogocha scored another goal for SSU in the second half stoppage time to complete his treble as well as the scoring for his team.