Manipur Sangai Festival Football Exhibition Match : Mandalay team secure emphatic 6-2 win
Source: The Sangai Express / {Inputs from DIPR)
Imphal, November 25 2017:
In a huge setback for the Manipuri football fans, the 1st Women Football Exhibition match held today at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium as a part of Manipur Sangai Festival 2017 between Mandalay and Manipur ended 6-2 in favour of the visitor.
Though the first half ended in a 1-1 draw, the Myanmar team surged ahead in the second half and scored 5 more goals to secure an emphatic 6-2 win.
It was through A Roja Devi of Manipur who managed to net the first goal in the 38th minute but it was equalised just in two minute by Nu Nu of the Mandalay team.
After the breather, Naocha gave Manipur a 2-1 lead in the first minute.
Stung by the lead, Myanmar put more pressure in the mid-field and the forward line and started stretching the defence line of the home team.
It was in the 54th minute that Khin of Mandalay who intruded deep in Manipur's territory and beat the custodian to restore parity at 2-2 .
The parity did not last long as Nu Nu found her second goal in the 56th minute to hand Mandalay a 3-2 lead and opened the window of endless strikes.
The remaining part saw Mandalay's complete control and their onslaught continued with Yee Yee Oo who extended the lead by 4-2 in the 63rd minute.
Despite the lead the Mandalay team continued to press hard and their efforts paid them back with two more goals.
Nu Nu was at it again as she struck her third goal in the 69th minute.
Kay Zin Myint struck the finisher to give their team a comfortable 6-2 victory against the Manipur women's team.
The exhibition match was graced by Chief Minister N Biren as the chief guest at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium today.
Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Letpao Haokip, Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution Minister Karam Shyam, ISPE-MYDA Director Principal U Myo Myint Aung and State Level Committee for Actualisation of Act East Policy Convenor RK Shivachandra, other MLAs, top civil authorities and police officers also witnessed the exhibition match.
Speaking at the occasion, Chief Minister N Biren said that the exhibition match was organised to enhance people-to-people contact between the two neighbouring countries on the backdrop of Government of India's Act East Policy.
Expressing his resentment over harassing of some North East youths during an ISL match at Chennai some days back, the Chief Minister said that he had written to the authority concerned to look into the matter.
He said that the Government is trying to promote Manipur's hospitality, culture and scenic beauty to the world through Manipur Sangai Festival which has now become an annual high point.
U Myo Myint Aung while speaking at the exhibition match said that such initiatives would bring better relation between Manipur and Mandalay.
On behalf of Mandalay people and Government, U Myo Myint Aung invited CM N Biren and the people of Manipur to visit Mandalay to attend similar friendly matches to be played between Manipur and Mandalay on January 26 and 27 next year.
In his speech, YAS Minister Letpao Haokip said that as many as 75 top players of the State are currently taking part in different National and International tournaments and asserted that it may be one of the reason why Manipur could not produce a tight competition today.
It may be mentioned that two teams from Manipur have left Imphal a few days back to take part in the AIFF Indian Women's League.
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