The Southern Sporting Union, Singjamei moves into the semi final beating AFC Thoubal by seven-six goals during the sudden death kicks in the 14th Manipur State League 2021 played at Artificial Turf, Lamlong Thongkhong.
The quarter final match which began from Monday saw AFC Thoubal make a comeback in the second half to deny a straight win for SSU team, leveling 1-1 goals during normal time.
The Souther Sporting Union played hard in the first half period resulting a series of raids but they struck the right chord when L. Roshan Singh makes a attempt to the goal but got deflected from the upright and finds Th. Suraj Singh to made a powerful volley to the goal in 12 minute of play for the lead.
Though AFC Thoubal made several attempts to the goal, most of their shots were feeble or off target.
However they got the equalizer in the 73 minute of play with old warhorse Sahidur Rahaman netted home close to the horizontal to minimize the scoreline to 1-1 goals till the final whistle.
With kicks from penalty marks pressed into action, both teams converted four goals each. For SSU team, M. Kabiraj, Th. Premjit, L. Roshan, H. Snital finds the target while for AFC Thoubal, Ak. Peter, Th. Thomas, Loyangamba and Sahidur scored, while goalkeepers of the team saved one kick each, needing the sudden death kicks.
In the sudden death, SSU players N. Suhsilkumar and Th. Suraj beat the Thoubal keeper while for AFC team only Premkumar got through while the other kick was saved by substitute keeper S. Dinakumar Singh.
Four AFC players Ch. Gobin, Premkumar, Ng. Peter, Th. Thomas and SSU players L. Roshan Singh, Th. Premjit got booked with yellow cards from referee Yulung Lungsu.
KLASA Keinou also made it to the semi final beating Muvanlai Athletics by 2-0 goals. Keenly contested, the match flared up more to caution players for aggressive play rather than scoring goal, resulting in the first half without a goal.
The second half brought more surprise to the team as each team lost a man each from a red card. The first to be sent off the field was Muvanlai Athletics player Seiminthang, who was served with a yellow card earlier in 8 minute of play and got the second yellow in 73 minute, resulting in a red card.
KLASA player Romesh was given the marching order by referee L.Tarunkumar from double caution in 73 minute and 76 minute of play.
Reduced to ten men each, KLASA Keinou made amends of its losses when Lunminlen struck the opening goal in 79 minute and later Monish came up with the winning goal in 90 plus 4 minute for the victory, enroute to the semi final.
In the quarter final matches on Tuesday, Sagolband United will take on AIM Khabam at 11.45 am while UKB Churchandpur will meet KIYC Khetrigao at 1.45 pm.
