Manipur close in on Santosh Trophy final round
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 15 2023:
Phijam Sanathoi Meitei netted a brace as Manipur continued their peerless form with a 5-0 thrashing of Madhya Pradesh in the 77th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy 2023-24 played at Bennett University Ground, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh on Sunday.
It was the state squad's fourth straight win in their Group C fixtures to maintain their lead in their group standings.
Manipur took 19 minutes to pull ahead of their opponents when Phijam Sanathoi made his work count.
After their opener, the state team made further inroads in the 44th minute with Wangkheimayum Sadananda Singh on target as they went into the second half leading 2-0 .
Manipur stepped up their game after the break and were rewarded with three goals.
Sanathoi scored his second goal in the 52nd minute to triple the lead before Samson made it 4-0 in the 57th minute and Ngangbam Pacha Singh found the fifth goal in the 74th minute, wrapping up the win in style.
With the result, Manipur stayed atop the Group C standings with 12 points, three points ahead of second-placed Uttar Pradesh.
Manipur will next play Jharkhand in their last group stage match on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 .