15th Manipur State LeagueSagolband United, NEROCA FC script identical 4-1 wins

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Aug 22 : Sagolband United (SU) thrashed The Athletics Football Club (AFC) 4-1 as NEROCA FC drubbed NISA 4-1 in their opening games in the 15th Manipur State League at Artificial Turf Ground, Lamlong Thongkhong.
In today's first and second match of the 19-team tournament (Group A), SU and AFC were evenly poised and shared almost equal possession and scoring chances but the Sagolband team who led the first half 1-0 raced ahead in the second half to wrap up the game 4-1.
It was Ronik Moirangthem who handed SU the slender 1-0 first half lead with a 32nd minute goal before Chingakham Anandkumar doubled the advantage in the 55th minute as AFC started losing composure after the break.
AFC managed to pull back a goal courtesy Sahidur Rahman in the 63rd minute but they failed to sustain their momentum.
SU were assured of a big win when skipper Singam Subash rifled in a fine shot in the 75th minute to make it 3-1.
SU were in complete control of the game as the game wore on and Thokchom Adison who came off the bench to substitute Ronik Singh then slotted home the final nail in the 86th minute.
Later in the second match of the day (Group B), NEROCA FC thumped NISA by 4-1 goals in a very lop-sided encounter.
NISA took the lead early with Huidrom Telheiba beating NEROCA FC custodian N Niraj from the penalty spot in the 8th minute but conceded the lead two minutes into the added time of the opening half as substitute defender Ayekpam Tom Joseph scored the equaliser for the Sangakpham team.
After the break, NEROCA thoroughly dominated the proceedings and gained upperhand with Manglenthang Lupheng converting the second penalty of the game in the 59th minute. Md Isra Khan then made it 3-1 after 65 minutes before S Johny Kom completed the rout in the 85th minute.