Worchupei earns YUFC 1-0 win in 13th Manipur State League opener

By Our Sports Reporter

IMPHAL, Feb 6 : The 13th edition of Manipur State League kicked off today at Turf Ground, Khuman Lampak with Yarkhok United Football Club (YUFC) beating Sagolband United (SU) 1-0 in a keenly contested match.

The tournament participated by 15 teams and organised on Round Robin League basis, was inaugurated in the presence of former Deputy CM, Gaikhangam; former Speaker, Th Lokeshor Singh, ; former Ministers, K Govindas, DD Thaisi and Abdul Nasir; donor of the tournament, Khumukcham Joykishan, MLA Thangmeiband AC and M Ratankumar Singh, president, All Manipur Football Association as dignitaries.

The lone goal that earned YUFC all three points against SU was scored by Worchuipei off a deflection in the 87th minute after the two sides threaded series of runs on both ends.

The two sides shared a fair share of possession and scoring chances the game throughout and the match looked to end in a goalless draw but it was the lapse on the SU's defence that proved them costly. A late effort by YUFC's Yami Longvah caught SU's goalkeeper Rocky Khundrakpam by surprise and although he parried away the attempt, the deflected ball landed in a vulnerable area and Worchuipei Kashung who was well placed made no mistake in finding the back of the net to put YUFC ahead.

And as there was no much time left for a comeback, SU had to see YUFC surge home 1-0.

Earlier, in the 72nd minute, Shunjantang of YUFC was yellow carded for his foul against SU's S Milan.

KLASA, Keinou will play NISA, Thangmeiband in the next match on February 9 at 12.15 pm at the same venue (Football Turf Khuman Lampak) before DM RAO, Sekmai meet TRAU, Kwakeithel latter at 2.15 pm.