North Imphal in driver’s seat


Imphal, Sept. 29: North Imphal Sporting Association is sitting pretty at the top of the team tally with 10 points in the fourth round of the first leg of the 4th Manipur State League.
Manipur Police Sports Club is placed next with nine points. Southern Sporting Union, Tiddim Road Athletic Union, Manipur Brothers Sporting Union, Anouba Imagi Mangal and Tiddim Road Unique Gamy Players Union are locked with seven points each. Eastern Sporting Union has garnered six points, while Youth Welfare Club and United Sporting Association have four points each.
North Eastern Re-Organising and Cultural Association, along with Phoudel Youth Club, are yet to register any victory and are at the bottom of the tally with no points.
Manipur Police Sports Club made mincemeat of United Sporting Association in their fourth game today, routing the latter 4-0 at Mapal Kangjeibung. The policemen came down hard on their opponents from the very beginning of the match and pumped in three goals in the first half itself to push their opponents on to the backfoot.
Md Zia-ul Haq netted the lead for the cops in the 16th minute and forward I. Nilakumar Singh consolidated the lead with another goal in the 23rd minute to dominate the proceedings. The policemen kept up the pressure and their third goal came in the 39th minute with Zia-ul Haq ruffling the net.
Though the second half was a lacklustre affair, the silence was broken in the 87th minute as Nilakumar shot home a stunner for the policemen for the 4-0 victory.
In other matches, Manipur Brothers Sporting Union blanked Tiddim Road Athletic Union by 2-0 goals and Tiddim Road Unique Gamy Players’ Union came up with a 3-1 victory against Phoudel Youth Club.
L. Boipu Doungel scored the first goal for Manipur Brothers in the 31st minute while teammate Z.V. Reishing Zimik scored the winning goal in the 47th minute.
Though Phoudel had a luckless run so far in the league, they managed to give Tiddim Road some fight on the greens.
Tiddim Road, however, managed to pull off a comfortable win ultimately. S. Surchand Singh opened their account in the 21st minute and Kh. Naoton Singh fetched another goal in the 35th minute. Later in the second half, L. Ratan Singh found the third goal for his team in the 73rd minute for the 3-1 win.
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58th edition of Bordoloi Trophy held in Assam

The 58th edition of 'Bordoloi trophy', one of the most awaited football tournaments of the year for all sports lovers in the northeast especially in Assam, was recently held at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Guwahati.

Named after the first Chief Minister of Assam, Gopinath Bordoloi, the tournament has gained enormous popularity in the northeast, as 14 teams from Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland participated in the tournament including a team from Senegal as well.

Organisers are now trying to bring back the past glory of the tournament by bringing international teams to compete in the tournament.

In the past, teams from Russia, Uzbekistan, and Bangladesh have participated in the tournament.

"We feel good to have teams coming from outside the state as we get to learn from them and gain experience. Observing them play, we can learn other qualities as well," said Mrityadev Swargiyari, a player from Assam.

Meanwhile, Tia Ao, team manager of Nagaland Police, claimed that their team has lots of experience, and said: "Playing here we get lots of experience. If we play in our hometown, we don't get much exposure. Playing with various skilled teams we will get experience."

Football enthusiasts from across the northeast came to cheer the participants, as the Assam State Electricity Board team emerged the champion in the tournament beating the Nagaland police team by 3-2.

Over the years, Bordoloi Trophy has been playing a major role in providing a platform for local players from the region to expose their talent and compete with international teams as well.
READ MORE - 58th edition of Bordoloi Trophy held in Assam

Motbung Youth, Ngathan shine

Imphal, Sept. 25: Motbung Youth Club, Senapati today edged past Kuithang Youth Club, Tamenglong by a solitary goal in the Inter-Community Football Tournament on Manipur University campus at Canchipur.
Both teams played their hearts out in the first half but failed to score.
However, in the second half, the Motbung Youth team adopted an attacking strategy. Henjoy Thang of the Motbung Youth team proved to be a match winner as he scored the lone goal in the 56th minute for the victory.
In another match, Ngathan Youth Club, Churachandpur defeated Star XI, Senapati, by 4-1 goals via penalty shootout.
The wet outfield made it difficult for the players of either team to control the ball.
Both the teams failed to score within the regulation time and the match had to be decided by a penalty shootout.
In the subsequent decider, Lalrem Lun, Daniel, Jamthei Lal and Van Thang converted theirs respective kicks for Ngathan Youth Club, while Lanring Pou put home the only goal Star XI after teammates Ringson and Pangai failed to score.
Imphal annual sports: Altogether 719 students will compete in the second annual sports meet to be held at Khuman Lampak Sports Complex from September 26-30.
The meet will see them take part in disciplines like football, volleyball, kho kho and badminton. Mukna and athletics, however, will be the main events in the meet, which will be organised under the directorate of school education.
READ MORE - Motbung Youth, Ngathan shine

Manipur State league football

Imphal, September 22 2009: SSU, Singjamei, TRAU (Kwakeithel) and ESU (Wangkhei) defeated their respective opponents in first round matches of the 4th Manipur State League football tournament today.

Riding on goals from Md Sahidur Rahman (11th) and AS themreishang (30th), SSU blanked NEROCA, Shangakpham 2-0 at Mapal Kangjeibung with ESU also scripting win over PYC, Phoudel by the same margin after Kamneithang Khongsai found the target at the quarter hour mark and kh Saveson doubled the advantage in injury time.

In another match at the same venue, NISA (Thangmeiband) salvaged a draw when Ksh Malemnganba struck in the 73rd minute to neutralise Md Riyaz Khan's 37th minute goal for YWC, Thambalkhong.

The match between MBSU, Wahengbam Leikai and USA, Khurai also ended in a 2-2 draw with M Romi (3rd) opening the MBSU goal and Y Hemanta deflecting in a header to his own net for the Wahengbam leikai side to establish 2-0 lead.

However, USA rallied on M Angangcha's 42nd minute header and Y somendro's goal in the 69th minute of the match at Mapal Kangjeibung.

Playing against AIM (Khabam) at mapal Kangjeibung, L Lolendro curled in a free kick from the top of the rival box in the 50th minute to fetch 1-0 victory for TRAU.

The sixth match of the day featured MPSC and TRUGPU, Nambol at Khuman Lampak Main stadium wherein the police side emerged winners at 2-0 .

M somochandra netted the MPSC goals in the 15th and 82nd minutes.
READ MORE - Manipur State league football

Mohun Bagan Crushes ONGC By 5-1 In Durand Cup

Mohun Bagan established a 5-1 victory over ONGC in their opening quarter final league match of the 122nd Durand Cup football tournament, played on Wednesday.
 
After their IFA Shield final loss to Churchill Brothers, Mohun Bagan has showcased a solid performance at the 17th Durand Cup title at the Ambedkar Stadium.
 
Bagan could have won by a bigger margin, but Jose Barreto missed a penalty. The Brazilian, however, made up for the loss scoring a brilliant goal in the 43rd minute in the group two match of the tournament.
 
Mohun Bagan controlled the match right from the start as Chidi and Barreto combined well to unnerve the ONGC defence. ONGC striker’s Baba Tunde and Lalsangzuala didn’t get much support from the half-line. Tunde, however, managed to score the solitary goal in the 82nd minute.
 
The 16-time champions took the lead in the ninth minute after an unmarked Surkumar hit from a rebound off James Singh's perfect flag-kick.
 
Nigerian Chidi doubled the score seven minutes later. Mohun Bagan went into the break with a 3-0 lead.ONGC failed to revitalize even after the breather. Lalsangzuala well-directed shot was saved by goalkeeper Sangram Mukherjee.
 
Chidi netted again in the 82nd minute from Shanta Kumar's precise pass. Surkumar struck again in the dying minutes with a long ranger to complete the tally.
READ MORE - Mohun Bagan Crushes ONGC By 5-1 In Durand Cup

Naga cops race into final

Guwahati, Sept. 16: Nagaland Police today created Bordoloi Trophy history by entering their maiden final, upsetting a lacklustre Oil India Limited (OIL) by a solitary goal in the second semi-final at Nehru Stadium here this evening.
The only goal of the match came through a header by Nagaland Police’s 25-year-old striker Saku in the 60th minute after OIL custodian Prandeep Dutta failed to clear a long-ranger shot. Saku, lurking beside Dutta, headed the ball home effortlessly.
They will now face former champions and favourites Assam State Electricity Board (ASEB) in the final on September 18.
OIL only have themselves to blame for not winning the game. Playing in the 4-4-2 formation, OIL had the better of exchanges in the first half, slowing down the game to upset the rhythm of their opponents.
Their strategy was working till Saku made the most of the casual collection by the OIL custodian.
They stepped up the tempo but their rivals were faster, strengthening their defence in no time.
E. Ratan Singh, the Nagaland coach, was a happy man. “It’s a great feeling to be in our first final. We were lucky. My boys gave their heart and soul in the match,” he said, swamped by jubilant Naga youths who stormed the field to savour the moment with their team.
Akon Sonowal, manager of OIL, blamed the four missed chances in the first half for the ouster.
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Nagaland cops enter semis

Guwahati, Sept. 15 : Nagaland Police this evening booked a semi-final berth in the Bordoloi Trophy, upsetting favourites Md. Sporting of Calcutta 3-0 in the tiebreaker at the Nehru Stadium here after regulation time ended in a goalless draw.
The Calcutta team played a listless game with captain Jothi Kumar missing two close opportunities. Dipendu Biswas and Gautam Thakur also squandered chances.
The Nagaland policemen played a fast and co-ordinated game but could not score.
However, they found their saviour in goalkeeper Zuthungo, who made three consecutive saves to send the Calcutta outfit out of the coveted meet. Nagaland police will take on Oil India Ltd in the second semi-final on Wednesday.
Tomorrow, ASEB will play Peerless in the first semi-final.
Women’s football: Kangchup Road Youth Physical and Sporting Association prevailed upon Naharol Yaipha Thourang Club by 3-2 goals in the AMFA Senior Women Football Tournament, 2009 played at Mapal Kangjeibung today, reports our sports correspondent from Imphal.
READ MORE - Nagaland cops enter semis

Fed Cup starring Salman

Actor’s presence as AIFF ambassador confirmed
Guwahati, Sept. 13: For soccer lovers of Assam, the eautiful game” could not have been more glamorous.
Bollywood hunk Salman Khan will be in the city when it hosts the final of the elite Federation Cup — one of most prestigious football tournaments of the country — in December.
Salman’s scheduled presence was confirmed by Assam Football Association secretary Ankur Dutta who told The Telegraph today: “The filmstar has become the All India Football Federation’s brand ambassador. And he will definitely be present during the Federation Cup final which happens to be one of the most elite events of the AIFF.”
The actor’s presence will be a big boost to the game which, despite its popularity in this part of the country, fails to attract crowds to the tournaments; even one of the stature of Bordoloi Trophy is played virtually to empty stands.
Altogether 16 teams, including I-League teams like East Bengal, Churchill Brothers, Mohun Bagan, Dempo, Vasco SC and Mahindra United will take the field during the tournament which is going to be hosted by Assam after a gap of over 30 years.
Incidentally, Salman’s presence had ensured a capacity crowd at the Ambedkar Stadium in Delhi last week during the final of the Nehru Cup.
The AFA expects the same in the Federation Cup final, tentatively slated for December 30 or 31. The fixture is yet to be finalised.
“Be it Fed Cup or any club football tournament, I’ll make it a point to be among the crowd in the final as Salman Khan will be there. I’ll try for an autograph. I’ve seen all his films but never seen him off-screen,” said 13-year-old Ankita Bora of Jorhat, who is a die-hard fan of the star, but not really interested in football.
“It is not only Salman Khan who is going to be the crowd-puller. The participating teams are themselves stars in their own rights with almost all the giant footballers of the country, including the mercurial Bhaichung Bhutia, in their ranks. The star’s presence will be the icing on the cake,” Dutta said.
“This is an opportunity for us to watch all the football icons of the nation on the same turf. I’ll not miss a single match of the tournament,” Ranjan Basumatary, a young footballer of the city, said.
“We were first awarded the Santosh Trophy tournament in the executive council meeting in New Delhi recently. However, we insisted on the Fed Cup because it has glamour. All the teams are elite outfits of the nation,” the AFA secretary, who is also an AIFF vice-president and the chairman of the Federation Cup committee, added.
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IFA Shield: Churchill beat AI in shootout, enter final

Kolkata: I-League champion Churchill Brothers struggled past Air India 5-3 in a penalty shootout to enter final of the 114th IFA Shield in a rain-soaked encounter at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan here today.

After even extra-time play failed to break the 1-1 deadlock, Churchill scored 4-2 in tie-breaker with the winning goal coming through Nacimento Silveira, whose shot deceived Air India keeper Arnab Das Sharma.

Other Chruchill scorers in the shootout were Ogba Kalu Nnanna, Sudharkarn Naveen Kumar and Gourmangi Singh, while Reisangmei Vashum's shot was saved by Sharma.

For the Mumbai outfit, Harpreet Singh and Vijith Shetty found the net but Kailash Patel hit the bar and Tapan Maity's effort was far wide as their side crashed out.

Initially, the Airmen secured an early lead through an own goal by Chuchill defender Rowilson Rodrigues in the 14th minute.

Churchill failed to convert nine corners and as many freekicks in first-half, with Air India holding on to their lead till 76th minute of the game.

Vashum had a forgettable outing in the first half but the medio brought Churchill back into the game through a spectacular goal in the 76th minute.

Airmen went one-up when Churchill defender Rodrigues' outstretched leg made the ball loop over their custodian Arindam who stood dejected in frustration.

Having conceded goal early into the first-half, the Goa outfit went under more pressure and dished out a lacklustre show till the breather.

Vashum missed an easy freekick in 21st minute, failing to get his boot to the ball.

But the Airmen's attack was lacking the penetrating power to make further inroads as Churchill had a better possession.

After the changeover, Air India held on to their 1-0 lead and when it all seemed that they would progress into the final, Vashum from the edge of the box lofted the ball over goalkeeper's head into the net.

Spotting Air India custodian Arnab out off line, Vashum chipped the ball over with his sharp left-footer to bring in the equaliser.

After 10 minutes, the Goans looked to settle the issue when Durga Boro launched a shot from near the goal but the Air India custodian stood in between, clearing the ball superbly.

Both teams had few chances in the extra time, but they failed to take capitalise on those, stretching the proceeding to the penalty shootout.
READ MORE - IFA Shield: Churchill beat AI in shootout, enter final

Assam Rifles beat Simla Youngs 4-1

New Delhi, Sep 8 (PTI) Assam Rifles put up an all-round performance to beat Simla Youngs 4-1 in the qualifying round of 122nd Durand Cup football tournament here today.

The Riflemen surged ahead in the second minute of the match through striker Thoi Thoiba Singh, followed by another goal by Meikingai Kamei in the very next minute.

Assam Rifles swelled the lead in 13th minute via Akum Ao.

Hirojit Kumar (90th) was the other scorer for winning party, while striker Samson Oyeleke (82nd) produced the consolation goal for Simla Youngs.
READ MORE - Assam Rifles beat Simla Youngs 4-1

Mizoram, GTC in final four

GTC challenge trophy

Guwahati, Sept. 7: Mizoram XI and hosts Gauhati Town Club entered the semi-finals of the 2nd Airtel GTC Challenge Trophy football tournament at Judges Field here.

In the first two quarter-finals played under floodlights on Sunday evening, Mizoram XI got the better of Arhima, Shillong, 5-4 via tie-breakers and GTC too edged past Oil India FC, Duliajan, 6-5 in a similar fashion.

The first quarter-final match between Mizoram and Arihima ended in a goalless draw at the end of regulation time. As the match went into the shootout, Mizoram emerged winners. Sama Hwamte, Laldampuia, Samuela, Lalchhawnkima and Lalhon Chanunga scored for Mizoram XI in the penalty shootout while for Arhima, Dapbar Bareh, Kenol, Engeneson and F. Ranel found the net.

The second quarter-final match between GTC and Oil India FC too was an encounter which kept the spectators on the edge of their seats. Oil India surged ahead in the 25th minute when F. Wary scored off a rebound from the GTC woodwork. In the second half, the GTC men exhibited power, finesse and character as they equalised in the 70th minute through Langka Basumatary.

In the tie-breakers, GTC goalkeeper Dulu Gogoi foiled the very first kick from Minto Boro of Oil India.

All five kicks by the GTC men from the penalty mark were converted. The end result read 5-4 in favour of GTC.

Those who scored for GTC in the penalty included N. Basumatary, Lakhyajit Konwar, Tomba Singh, Disister Marak and Janap Deuri. For Oil India, R. Routa, M. Thangjom, J. Basumatary and B. Sonowal converted their shots.

GTC will play their semi-final on September 10 against the winners of the ASEB-Sunrise tie while Mizoram XI will play theirs a day earlier against the winners of SSA and Army Green.

The final is scheduled for September 12.
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ASC beat ND Heroes in Durand Cup

NEW DELHI: Assam Rifles blanked MEG Bangalore 3-0 while ASC Bangalore beat local side New Delhi Heroes 2-1 in the qualifying round matches of the 122nd ONGC Durand Cup football tournament on Friday.

Both Assam Rifles and ASC Bangalore moved to the next round.

In the first match of the day, Assam Rifles scored through C Lalrin Kima (28th minute), V Abel Sema (52nd) and Bulu Jigdung (89th).

In the second match of the day, Tirunavukarasu (33rd and 46th) scored two goals for ASC Bangalore while Manoj Joshi reduced the margin for New Delhi Heroes in the 68th minute.

On Saturday, Army Juniors take on Ahbab FC Delhi in the first match while the second game is between Air Force XI and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation.
READ MORE - ASC beat ND Heroes in Durand Cup

Salman Khan to promote Indian football

NEW DELHI: Bollywood actor Salman has been roped in as the brand ambassador of Indian football by the All India Football Federation to promote the game in the country.

Salman, who was present at the Ambedkar Stadium on Monday night to watch India's Nehru Cup title victory over Syria, has agreed to promote the game, AIFF acting president Praful Patel said.

"Salman is a national icon. He had come to us and said he wants to promote football. So we have made him our brand ambassador. It is not going to incur any cost to us and he had approached to us voluntarily," Patel said.

"We have to see how he can help promote football in the country," he added.

Salman, who had shown interest in buying an Indian Premier League side when the league will be expanded to 10 teams in 2011, took a walk at the periphery of the pitch waving to the crowd who filled up the 20,000 capacity Ambedkar Stadium to the brim.
READ MORE - Salman Khan to promote Indian football

Kuki graze past Dimapur

 Imphal west Soccer
Imphal, Sep 1 : Kuki Sporting Association, New Lambulane, had a narrow 3-2 win against Dimapur Road Athletic Organisation in the Imphal West Super Division Football League Tournament played at Thangmeiband ground.
Kuki Sporting took the early lead in the 7th minute of play as Helun Haokip scored to dominate the proceedings. They enjoyed the lead for a stretch, however Dimapur Road player Th. Premanda Singh netted the equaliser in the 37th minute.
Both the teams adopted more aggressive tactics as the first half drew towards an end. Finally, Kuki Sporting player Roshang Liana ruffled the Dimapur net for the lead one minute in the injury time.
The game in the second half took a fiercer turn with the Dimapur men desperately seeking the equaliser. They were awarded a penalty in the 68th minute and R. Roman Kom made no mistake in finding the net to make it 2-2.
The Kuki men were determined to save their end occasionally launching swift counterattacks, and in one such move, Helun Haokip scored his second goal in the 69th minute to take the lead again much to the side’s relief.
In another match, Sagolband United blanked Yaiskul Athletic Club by 4-0 goals.
Imphal East First Division: United Progressive Adult Association had 5-1 goal victory against Social Welfare Congress in the M. Ibobi Singh Memorial First Division Football League Tournament played at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium.
XI Star Sporting Union held Progressive Youth Association with 1-1 goals in the Maharaj Ghanendrajit Super Division Football League Tournament played at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium.
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Senegal team for GSA tournament

Guwahati, Aug. 31: A team from Senegal will be one of the main attractions in the Guwahati Sports Association’s flagship event, the 58th Bharat Ratna Lokapriya Bordoloi Trophy football tournament, starting at Nehru Stadium here on Friday.
Announcing the participation of the foreign outfit, GSA general secretary Munin Nobis today said the team would be three time Senegal national champions Association Sportive Des Douanes (AC Douanes).
The team comprises five Senegal national players — Babcar Ndour, Karamba By Diallo, Ibrahima Faye, Ousmane Sarr and Baye Demba Mbengue.
The 15-member team will land here on September 13 and play its first match from the quarter-final stage on September 14. Prior to it, AC Douanes will be playing in the IFA Shield in Calcutta and after playing in the Bordoloi Trophy Tournament, they will participate in the Governor’s Gold Cup tournament in Sikkim.
“Since affording a team from Africa would cost us over Rs 60 lakh, it has been made easy by sharing the expenditure among three organising bodies now,” said Nobis. The GSA will have to bear a total cost of around Rs 12 lakh for the team.
The ONGC is sponsoring Rs 15 lakh in the Rs 30-lakh budget event while the GSA is yet to get any official commitment from the other prospective sponsors like Oil India Ltd, Numaligarh Refinery Ltd, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd and others.
“We hope the foreign players will be a crowdpuller because Senegal is already a force to reckon with in the international football arena,” GSA president Pulak Goswami said. The team will be playing a maximum of three matches in the tournament.
Apart from the Senegal team, the other participants in the tournament will be Md Sporting (Calcutta), Mizoram XI (Mizoram), Assam Regim-ental Centre (Shillong), Army Green FC (Shillong), Nagala-nd Police (Dimapur), Langs-ning SC (Shillong), Oil India FC (Duliajan) and the local teams Assam State Electricity Board SC, Assam Police Blues, Food Corporation of India SC, Dynamo Club and GSA first-division league champions Gauhati Town Club.
READ MORE - Senegal team for GSA tournament