Raja Goukhothang Guite Football Memoriam 2020 : Zenhang YC to take on United Khawzim Brothers
Source: The Sangai Express

CCpur, January 27 2020: After witnessing a crunch knock-out round battle which seen contenders SYMROPIA FC and Manipur State League giants Muvanlai Athletics of Sadar Hills crushing out, tomorrow will mark the commencement of a busy quarter-finals week with heavyweights Zenhang Lamka YC taking on Manipur State League-bound United Khawzim Brothers in the first quarter-finals match-day as the grand Raja Goukhothang Guite Football Memoriam 2020 reached its climax at Lamka Public Ground, Churachandpur.

Both Zenhang Lamka YC and United Khawzim Brothers endured a similar circumstances landing into the quarter-finals as the two sides had a faltering start to the campaign.

With United Khawzim Brothers picking up just a single point in their first two group league fixtures, qualification into the next round became a far cry for them at one stage of the group-stage but a 2-0 victory over Ahsijolneng FC in their final group match had revived hopes of qualification and their hopes went accomplished when Konsam FC came from 2-0 down to oust resilient Happy Feet Football Academy 4-2 thus paving way for the Manipur State League-bound club into the quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, star-studded Zenhang Lamka YC had also had similar problem as defeat in the hands of KYVO-Kwasiphai in their opening group match had dented hopes of progressing into the next round but a hard-fought 1-0 victory over New Lamka YC in their next match had given them new hopes and their hopes of making it through to the quarter-finals had been accomplished as they trounced toothless YC Pearsonmun 3-0 in their final group match to topple New Lamka YC into the top-finish of Group A, which also signalled the elimination of KYVO-Kwasiphai on inferior goal-difference record.

Having drawn youthful Happy Feet FA 2-2, going down 2-1 against Konsham FC and emerging 2-0 winners against Ahsijolneng FC means United Khawzim Brothers managed to score goals in each of their three group matches netting 5 goals and conceding 4 goals in the process which reflects their potential goal-scoring instinct but a defensive flaw on the other way.

Meanwhile, a 1-0 defeat by KYVO-Kwasiphai followed by a 1-0 and 3-0 victory over New Lamka YC and YC Pearsonmun respectively suggests their good defensive discipline but failing to produce ruthless attacking potent in those matches have cast doubt whether they could be in line to follow the ruthlessness of Happy Feet FA and Konsham FC in cutting the defence of UKB.

With both sides having a vast resource of experience and quality to overcome big match, it remains to be seen which sides have a better exploration ability to the quality available at their disposal to cut into the semi-finals.

With United Khawzim Brothers having undergone two-years of trophy-drought after clinching the Manipur State Winners' Cup 2017, they are in desperate need of lifting domestic trophy to boost their confidence ahead of the upcoming 13th Manipur State League, scheduled to commence next month, they will be fighting with all might to make through to the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, Zenhang Lamka YC had their fates being washed away in two open football tournament finals - Zou Gal Memorial Shield 2015 and 12th Seikam Memorial Open Football Tournament 2019 coupled with a District First Division League 2019 final defeat to Ahsijolneng FC, they will be all out to remind the world their final curse of recent times were news of the past by clinching this prestigious tournament as they gathered a hugely expensive squad to wash away their curse.

With no fresh injury concern from both camps, the two sides are expected to field their strongest line-up with hopes of United Khawzim Brothers likely to be boosted by the return of midfield technician Lalminlian Vaiphei and Lamthianlal Vaiphei, who scored 3 goals in the ongoing tournament, from Manipur State duty in Dr T.Ao Trophy 2020 at Nagaland but Zenhang Lamka YC might have drawn inspiration from their 3-0 victory over YC Pearsonmun in their final group match.

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