| Manipur league | ||
Imphal, April 7 : Southern Sporting Union defeated North Imphal Sporting Association by a solitary goal win in a match of the 3rd Manipur State League played at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium. With one last leg match to go in the league, the stage seems quite open for the top slot. Four teams, including North Imphal Sporting Association with 47 points, Tiddim Road Unique Gamy Players Union with 46 points, Southern Sporting Union and Manipur Police Sports Club also climbing up steadily on 45 points, are in close proximity with equal chances. Consecutive failures by the current leader and defending champions North Imphal Sporting Association had bolstered hope among the top three and the last league matches will be crucial in deciding who will finally emerge as league champions of the third edition. Ten of the 12 teams in the league will be retained in the next edition while the two teams finishing with least points will be relegated. North Imphal Sporting Association failed to click despite several chances. Southern Sporting Union stole the show in the 21st minute with a decisive goal. In a right flank counter-attack, L. Dewan Singh chipped in a goalmouth cross to the far post where Y. Sachinanda Singh, with the goalkeeper nowhere in sight, shot home the lone winning goal. In other matches, Manipur Police Sports Club overpowered North Eastern Re-Organising and Cultural Association by 3-2 goals while Tiddim Road Athletic Union overcame Youth Welfare Club by 4-3 goals and Tiddim Road Unique Gamy Players Union prevailed over United Sporting Association by 2-1 goals. New Lamka Youth Club held Eastern Sporting Union to a 1-1 draw. |
