| Solitary goal spells doom for hosts All Moirang |
| Loktak Trophy |
 Imphal, Feb 2 : Anouba Imagi Mangal, Khabam, rode on a solitary goal to defeat All Moirang Football Association in the final of the 2nd Loktak Trophy Invitation Football Tournament at Moirang in Manipur’s Bishnupur district. The win fetched Anouba Imagi Mangal a cash prize of Rs 30,000 and the winners trophy, while All Moirang Football Association went home richer by Rs 20,000 along with the runners-up trophy. It was a tight battle as the hosts All Moirang Football Association played with their prestige at stake in front of a huge home crowd. All Moirang were quite aggressive, but their moves did not yield fruit.At the other end, Anouba Imagi Mangal, with some calculated moves, came up with the break in the first half. L. Ajitkumar Singh of Anouba Imagi Mangal sent a shot to the All Moirang goalmouth where S. Lokesh Singh handled the ball while trying to clear away the ball, prompting referee S. Kenedy Singh to award a penalty to the Anouba Imagi team in the 21st minute. R. Raman Kom took the shot and made no mistake in converting it for the lead. Resuming in the second half, the pressure was on All Moirang, who left no stone unturned to net the equaliser. However, their efforts went in vain as the Anouba Imagi defence played their part well. S. Lokesh Singh, Dhamen Singh and Laltonga of All Moirang and Ng. Santosh Singh and R. Raman Kom of Anouba Imagi were booked with a yellow card each. Manipur team A 177-strong Manipur contingent left for Agartala today to participate in the 23rd North Eastern Games, which will begin tomorrow. The meet will conclude on February 7. The Manipur team will participate in 10 disciplines, including athletics, boxing, badminton, gymnastic, judo, football, hockey (men’s), table tennis, swimming and powerlifting. Ch. Shantikumar Singh is leading the contingent as chef-de-mission while G.A. Sanatomba Sharma, S. Amutombi Singh, M. Upendro Singh and Ksh. Sharatchandra Singh will accompany the squad as liaison officers. Youth affairs and sports minister N. Biren Singh flagged off the contingent from Khuman Lampak Sports Complex this morning. |