SSU to lock horns with ASUFII FA for 1st Premier League crown

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jan 29 : ASUFII Football Academy (AFA)-Mao will lock horns with Southern Sporting Union (SSU)-Singjamei in the title clash of the 1st Premier League organised by the All Manipur Football Association at Artificial Turf Ground.
Both the teams won on penalties today to seal the final tickets.
In the first semi-final match, league toppers SSU and fourth placed Sagolband United (SU) played out a 2-2 draw in the regulation time before the Singjamei team came out 5-3 winners in the shoot-out.
Both the sides were neck and neck almost throughout the game and entered the break with the score levelled at 1-1 as Ronik Moirangthem equalised it for SU in the 18th minute after SSU took the lead early in the 6th minute through Yengkhom Zidan.
After the restart, SU rode on Wahengbam Dravid's 66th minute strike to turn things around but SSU made their way back into the game with Nepolean Moirangthem, who subbed in for Suraj Yumnam after the break, making most of a chance in the 72nd minute.
With both the teams failing to find the difference, the game was eventually decided via penalty shoot-out wherein Ningombam Kabiraj, Hijam Sital, Nepolean Moirangthem, Lourembam Hillem and Thounaojam Premjit made no mistake in beating substituted SU custodian Nongmaithem Nirajkumar.
For SU, only Shunjanthan Ragui, Hijam Lenin and Dangmei Meisulung were able to find the target as Moirangthem Somokanta's shot was saved by SSU keeper Siddharth Rana.
The second semi-final match between league runners up Wangoi Football Association (WAFA) and third placed AFA ended in a goalless draw in regulation time. The game was eventually extended to a penalty shoot-out and the Mao team emerged 4-2 winners to set up the final date with SSU.
In the shoot-out, Maisnam Premkumar and Nongmaithem Suraj of WAFA missed the target and eventually it proved costly to them as Mathanmi Ningshen, Bijoy Moktan, Yr Ninglumshang and Lohrii Kaisii made successful strikes for AFA. Only Longjam Lamyanba and Ronald Saikhom were able to convert their penalties for WAFA.
The final is slated for January 31 at Artificial Turf Ground, Lamlong Thongkhong. The match starts at 1 pm.