Manipur ease to second straight victory in 77th Santosh Trophy
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 10 2023:
Phijam Sanathoi Meetei scored a double as Manipur recorded their second straight victory with a 6-2 drubbing of Uttar Pradesh in their Group C fixture of the 77th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy 2023-24 Vijay Singh Pathik Stadium, Greater, Noida (UP) on Tuesday.
The state team started with a bang as Wangkhemayum Sadananda put his side ahead just five minutes into the contest.
Then Phijam Sanathoi extended the lead in the 34th minute before Thiyam Chingkheinganba tripled the advantage in the second minute of first-half added time.
After the break, Manipur continued to put pressure on their opponents, but a UP counter-attack gained them a penalty kick, which Krishan Kumar converted from the spot.
After conceding, the state squad got their act together and found their fourth goal in the 64th minute via a penalty kick by Khundom Lucky Singh.
Phijam Sanathoi scored his second goal seven minutes later to make it 5-1 before UP reduced the deficit in the 75th minute through Yashraj Thapa only to concede an own goal in the 86th minute as Manipur cruised to a 6-2 win in their second group stage match.
Manipur will next play Nagaland on Thursday, October 12 .