Junior Girls NFC : Linthoi's 89th minute goal earns Manipur tenth title
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 30 2023:
Manipur claimed the tenth Junior Girls' National Football Championship title after a slender 1-0 win over Tamil Nadu in the title clash today.
In the competitive clash staged this afternoon at CFA, Unit-3 ground in Bhubaneswar, the two sides entered into the half goalless and goal celebration remained elusive for almost another 45 minutes.
However, Hemam Linthoi who subbed in for Nameirakpam Arina in the 51st minute ended the goal drought just a minute before the final whistle to break the hearts of Tamil Nadu girls.
Earlier, Manipur who are also two time runners up in the championship which was instituted during the 2001-2002 season by the All India Football Federation, had topped the Group stage with three wins on the trot thrashing Maharashtra 6-0, beating Delhi 2-1 and Haryana 1-0 before trouncing hosts Odisha 8-0 in the semi-final.
The All Manipur Football Association (AMFA) has expressed extreme happiness over the achievement of the girls and congratulated all in the team, making the State proud.