10th Jiri Cup Invitation Football Tournament KIYC down LYC to enter semi-final
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 28 2014: KIYC, Kshetri Iril Mapal brushed aside LYC Jiribam by two goals to nil to enter the semi-final of the 10th Jiri Cup Invitation Football Tournament underway at the Jiribam Government Higher Secondary School.

The scoreline of 2-0 however did not really reflect the real complexion of the game as both teams matched each other equally well not giving an inch without a fight.

Both teams started warily, testing each other with caution and relying on counter attacks.

Short, ground passes were adopted by the two teams and though both sides had their own chances, none could find the net in the first half.

The break was taken with both teams locked at nil each.

After the break, KIYC started dominating the match with better ball possession coupled with well co-ordinated moves down the two flanks.

Controlling the midfield, KIYC players went on the offensive and launched a series of attacks, but the defence line of LYC stood firm, anticipating the moves of the rival team.

The stalemate was however broken in the 58th minute of the game when a well positioned Md Ashit managed to chest the ball, control it with his foot and released a powerful shot from just atop the penalty box, that caught the custodian of the LYC team rooted to the ground.

The goal came off a series of good, accurate passes from the midfield with Md Ashit managing to shake off his marker and positioning himself well to take a good shot that rattled the net of the LYC goal.

The one goal lead galvanised the KIYC players all that more and they put more men on the attack and on a number of occasions came close to scoring.

The open and flowing strategy paid off, when Azamar Shah found the net in the 73rd minute to take his team to a comfortable position with a two goal lead.

LYC did all they could to come back into the match but the defence line of KIYC stood their ground and did not offer any opportunity to the rival team.

Tomorrow LNPFC, Mizoram will meet 27 AR.

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