KIYC, MPSC reach 24th Winners' Cup semi-finals
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 23 2019:
KIYC, Imphal East thrashed KPFC representing Bishnupur district by 4-1 goals at its home ground ABA ground, Kshetrigao to ensure a huge 7-1 aggregate finish and set up semi-finals date with FC Lamjao, Kakching in the ongoing Thangjam Biracha-ndra-Maipakpi Memorial 24th Winners Cup being organised by All Manipur Football Association.
MPSC too made it to the semi-finals beating AMOFA, Moirang 2-1 aggregate after today's 1-0 away win to Moirang Multipurpose HSS ground.
At ABA ground, KIYC were taken by surprise as KPFC opened up the account in the 3rd minute through Sh Herojit despite home crowd cheering and supporting the team.
KIYC however amended themselves and gained more ground soon to pile up pressure on the Kha Potsangbam team.
As the home team could not materialise their effort the first half ended 1-0 in KPFC's favour.
KIYC which had to rue their missed chances in the first half however made a more determined entry after the restart and got the equaliser with Sh Shitaljit taking the strike in the 48th minute.
The goal gave fresh hope to the home team which took off their campaign brightly at the KPFC's home and it was Kh Shitaljit yet again who tapped in his second to overturn the lead.
There was no looking back since then for the team as Ng Jenish connected to the team's third in the 59th minute before K Alexandre converted a spot kick in the 73rd minute to complete the 4-1 thrashing.
They will meet FC Lamjao in semi-final first leg on November 25 at the latter home ground at Lamjao at 1.30 pm.
Elsewhere at Moirang Multipurpose Higher Secondary School ground, both AMOFA and MPSC were heading towards the end with no goals being scored on either side but an additional time goal by Khem Bahadur (90'+2') helped MPSC earn a 1-0 win to ensure their place in the last four.
A goalless draw would have given AMOFA the upper edge and a way to the semi-final and thus the match was full of action as MPSC too wanted a clean finish.