FC Lajong to fight AR in first semis today
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, December 19 2010:
With two goals from striker Tiken, the Tiddim Road Athletic Union (TRAU), Kwakeithel stormed into the semi final rounds of the ongoing 54th CC Meet organized by AMFA under the sponsorship of MACS.
TRAU beat AIM, Khabam Lamkhai in the last quarter final match of the tournament played at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium, Imphal.
AIM who entered into the quarter final rounds after defeating skillful NISA, Thangmeiband had to leave the tournament with a heavy heart.
Supporters of AIM lost their hopes with AIM's exit from the tournament.
"The main credit for today's success is the well coordinated play of my players" said Kh Surmani, the TRAU coach.
"AIM players are very good players.
They played the match very well.
But they were unable to play the match at their best" he added.
AIM coach Premkanta said that the main cause of their defeat is the goalkeeper.
Moreover one of his main striker W Ngouba could not play the match due to an injury.
With AIM's exit from the tournament, TRAU is the only remaining team of State League out of 12 in the tournament.
It may be reminded that TRAU won the CC Meet title last year.
Moreover they also won the Chief Minister Trophy held in Sikkim this year.
TRAU who had won the CC Meet title many times, played today's match in a well coordinated manner.
From the beginning they showered many goal attempts against AIM.
The first blood was drawn by striker L Tiken in the 6th minute of the match from a corner kick by L Bikram.
Tiken scored the second goal in the 26th minute of the match.
With two goals ahead of them, AIM players tried their best to equalize the score.
But they could not give any effective impact against their rival as they lack better coordination among them.
They tried many goal attempts against TRAU but custodian of TRAU successfully saved all the attempts of AIM.
The first semi final match will be played between FC Lajong, Shillong and Assam Rifles.
Foreign player of FC Lajong, James Giblee will not be playing tomorrow's match as he missed tomorrow's match after he was awarded a red card in the quarter final match played against MPSC.
Meanwhile, defending champion TRAU who won today's match will fight KSC, Lambulane in the second semi final match to enter into the final.