8th Shaheed Manoranjan Football Tournament MTFC drub UPSA, NEROCA beat MPSC 4-2
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 12 2017: MTFC, Leimakhong drubbed UPSA, Pukhao 5-1 while NEROCA FC defeated MPSC, Manipur Police 4-2 via a penalty shoot-out in today’s matches of the ongoing 8th Shaheed Manoranjan Singh Memorial CRPF State Open Football Tournament 2017 organised by Group Centre CRPF, Langjing under the supervision of IGP, Manipur and Nagaland Sector and All Manipur Football Association (AMFA) at Astro Turf Ground, Khuman Lampak .

The first match of the day saw a dominating MTFC toying with the Pukhao side from the very beginning .

The match started with crisp passing and quick runs from the Leimakhong side and they were able to draw first blood in the 26th minute through Premchand .

Stung by the sudden goal, UPSA sought to add more muscle to their defence line but MTFC did not ease their offensive and Achon netted another goal during stoppage time (45+2′) to give his team a 2-0 first half lead .

After the break, MTFC sustained their offensive raids against the hapless UPSA and it was Reingam who made an intrusive run deep in the latter’s territory and banged in a power packed shot and extended the lead to 3-0 .

Reingam was at it again scoring his second goal in the 73rd minute to make the score 4-0.Four minutes later, Mataimi was able to complete today’s scoring campaign for MTFC making it 5 goals to nil .

M Manglemba of UPSA managed to strike one goal in the 80th minute but it was too late by then for them to return.

Eventually, the game ended 5-1 in favour of MTFC .

In the second encounter, Junior team of NEROCA restored parity during the additional time to save the game from an early 1-0 lead by MPSC.

The winners were then decided through a penalty shoot-out in which NEROCA FC emerged victorious with a 4-2 margin .

The game saw both teams evenly matched but MPSC took the lead through an unexpected goal from Ksh Kanta in the 27th minute.

They continued to reign for the rest of the game but NEROCA resurged late during the additional time and it was N Robert who nestled home the ball and kept his team’s dream alive for the quarter final berth .

In the shoot-out, Abungo, Joykishan and N Robert scored for the Sangakpham side while Priyokumar of MPSC etched his name in the scoresheet handing the former a 4-2 victory .

NEROCA FC and MTFC have now joined TRAU in the last 16 .

NC Club, Khonghampat will take on SAI, Utlou tomorrow at 12 pm while KPSC, Kakching will face AIM, Khabam at 1.30 pm at the same venue.

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