16th Challenge Cup Veteran Football Tournament : AYMPA down a spirited NCDA
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 06 2014: AYMPA, Yairipok downed a spirited NCDA Khangampat by a margin of 4 goals to two in the 16th Challenge Cup Veteran Football Tournament played at Mapal Kengjeibung today while the second match of the day between FVWA Mapal Kangjeibung and UVSA Chajing ended in a tame goalless draw.

Taking the first field, AYMPA, Yairipok, made their intentions clear by adopting an attacking format with three players upfront.

From the first whistle they started to dominate the mid field and made good use of the flanks with their fleet footed forwards making forays into the territory of NCDA.

The first goal came in the 16th minute when Y Ingobi went off on a fantastic run down the flank and released a well directed shot towards the penalty box of the rival tem.

Thangson was well positioned to take control of the ball and after deftly sidestepping a couple of defenders found himself one to to one with the goalkeeper of NCDA.

Thangson did well to keep his composure under control and he unleashed a powerful shot from a short distance that beat the goalkeeper of NCDA hands down.

Energised by the one goal lead, the players from Yairipok kept up their pressure anbdand made repeated forays into the rival's territory.

The attacking strategy proved fruitful when Sh Shyam received a defence splitting pass from M Kendid in the 22nd minute inside the penalty box.

With Kendid about to have a good look at the goal, he was tackled from behind bringing him down.

The referee did not hesitate in granting a free kick to AYMPA.

M Biken who took the kick let loose a swerving kick that beat the wall as well as the outstretched hands of the custodian of the NCDA team to put his team up by two goals to nil.

The third goal came off a splendid solo effort from S Ito Singh.

After receiving the ball in the midfield, Ito Singh went off on a splendid solo run and managed to slot home the ball in the 27th minute to tkae his team to a four goal lead and without conceding none.

Down by by four goals, the players from NCDA did not give in but put up a good fight, relying on fast counter attacks that stretched the defence line of AYMFA to lits limits.

After re-organising their game they played to a plan and started making inroads into the territory of their rival team.

Their repeated attacking play started to open the defence of AYMFA and this resulted in a series of dangerous moves from the players of NCDA.

Their repeated forays finally paid off when Y Ingobi found himself in good position to shrug off his markers and make inroads into the territory of the rival team.

After outpacing the defenders Ingobi found himself one to one with the goalkeeper of AYMFA and he made no mistake, cleverly sending the goal keeper in the wrong direction in the 52nd minute.

The late goal goaded the players of NCDA all that more and they put more men in the attack makinng good use of the flanks and finding the chinks in the defence line of AYMFA.

The second goal for NCDA came in the 55th minute when Tombinou was on target, but it was too late.

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