16th Challenge Cup Veteran Football Tournament : Big wins for FLAM, VSAI, Thangmeiband
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 05 2014: FLAM, Babupara and VSAI Thangmeiband scored big wins against their rivals in the 16th Challenge Cup Veteran Football Tournament played at Mapal Kangjeibung today.

In the first match of the day (Group B), FLAM, Babupara did not face much resistance in packing off Sadar Hills, Kangpokpi by a margin of 3 goals to 1 .

Sadar Hills, Kangpokpi managed to hold onto their game till the 20th minute before FLAM netted the first of the three goals.

Adopting an attacking approach, the flair and poise of FLAM Babupara overcame the defensive approach adopted by Sadar Hills and from the first whistle, they made their intentions clear by opening up their game and making inroads into the territory of the rival team.

It is to the credit of the defenders of Sadar Hills that they managed to cling on till the 20th minute, thwarting all the attacks launched on either side of the flank.

Taking control of the midfield FLAM made good use of the flanks to stretch the defence line of Sadar Hills and tormented their defenders with some incisive attack.

The first goal came off a good move initiated in the midfield with AK Mahesh taking control of the ball and managed to dribble his way into the penalty box of Sadar Hills.

After outwitting couple of defenders, Mahesh passed the ball to an unmarked K Joy Rongmei who was well position to take a good shot at the goal which rustled the net of Sadar Hills.

The second goal came barely three minutes after the first goal.

Not resting on the one goal cushion, FLAM continued with their onslaught and Md Azizur released a defence splitting pass that found AK Mahesh lurking near the goal mouth of Sadar Hills.

Mahesh did well to control the ball and took a well directed shot that beat the custodian of Sadar Hills hands down to help his team take a two goal lead by the 23rd minute.

Not throwing in the towel, Sadar Hills relied on quick counter attacks to come back into the match and they managed to pull one back in the 45th minute through a freakish goal.

Taking possession of the ball on the side of FLAM, Songkhosat went off on a brilliant solo run and blasted the ball towards the goal of FLAM, but the ball lacked direction and hit the post.

The rebound came to the feet of Seilen who had followed Songkhosat and he made no mistake in slotting home the ball in the 45th minute and pull one back for his team Lemon break was taken with FLAM leading by a margin of 2 goals to one.

The complexion of the match remained the same after the break, with FLAM not giving any opportunity to the players from Sadar Hills to come back into the match.

Continuing with their open and flowing game, E Ratan managed to take the ball deep down the flank and he essayed a well measured cross.

N Bobo who was within the penalty box of Sadar Hills was well positioned to take a powerful shot that went home to seal the match in favour of FLAM.

The second match was a one sided affair with TEA Yairipok surrendering meekly to VSAI, Thangmeiband by a margin of 0 to 4 .

The team from Thangmeiband went on the offensive from the first whistle and they mounted a series of attacks from either side of the flanks after taking control of the midfield.

The first goal came in the 24th minute of the match, when M Joychandra took possession of the ball and after outpacing a couple of defenders found Kh Ratan near the goal mouth of TEA, Yairipok.

Ratan did well in deftly controlling the ball and let go a rasping shot that settled at the far end of the net to put his team ahead.

Bolstered by the first goal, the players from Thangmeiband were all over the field, making inroads and stretching the defence line of TEA to the limits.

With the attacks coming without a stop, Stanlee Mahongnao went off on a fast solo run and with no one to challenge drew the goalkeeper of TEA outside the penalty box and unleashed a powerful shot.

In his desperate attempt to stop the ball the goalkeeper of TEA handled the ball outside the penalty box, resulting in a free kick.

Kh Ratan who took the free kick unleashed a swirling shot that beat the wall and the outstretched hands of the goalkeeper to score the second goal for VSAI in the 30th minute.

The third goal came in the 41st minute when Stanlee made no mistake with a pass from Pahari.

M Dewan scored in the 43rd minute to complete the rout.

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