Manipur forward Md Wajit bulldozed his way, showing little mercy to former champion West Bengal, leading the state to beat them by 6-0 goals in the Hero Sub-Junior National Football Championship 2023-24 played at Berhampur, West Bengal.
With this second win in as many matches, Manipur are inching closer for a top finish in Group B. They will play their last league game against Haryana on September 7. In their first match, Manipur beat Goa by 11-0 goals.
Showing their professionalism right from the first whistle, Manipur were in the offensive mood and made four threatening shots but the horizontal and upright bars came to West Bengal's rescue in the first twenty minutes of play.
However, Manipur forward Md Wajit was unstoppable and announced his arrival in the 21st minute when he volleyed home a powerful left footer for the lead. He had another chance but hit the crosspiece. But he regained his composure to pick up two easy goals in one-to-one situations, in the 31st minute and 33rd minute to bring up his hattrick in the tournament.
The 13th time champion, West Bengal, seem clueless in the game with the barrage of attack from Manipur and got further burdened when midfielder Meisnam Jojo Meetei scored from a free kick, whizzing past the popping hand of West Bengal custodian in the 40th minute to enjoy the first half.
A light shower in the second half failed to dampen the spirit of the Manipur boys and it was forward Md Wajit again, to push home two more easy goals in the 48th and 67th minutes for the victory. Five Manipur players and three West Bengal players received yellow cards in the match.
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