ESO Football tourney A2 Patsoi, LASHAL cruise into semi-final

By Our Sports Reporter
IMPHAL, May 20: The semi-final line up of the 8th ESO Football Tournament 2019 being organized by Education Social Organization (ESO) Club, Bamdiar Makha Leikai have been completed today with A2 Patsoi and LASHAL, Leimapokpam defeating their respective rivals.
Yesterday RFC, Khamnam Leirak edged out Thoiba FC, Thiyam Leishangkhong by 3-1 goals while ESO-A, Bamdiar got the better of ECHL by a slender 1-0 margin to reach the last 4 round.
In the third quarter final match of the tournament staged today, A2 Patsoi came back twice to thump Old Men's United, Ghari. Old Men's United drew first blood with the help of Umakanta in the 15th minute but Nonganba of A2 Patsoi drew level in the 33rd minute after exchanging few runs on both ends. The parity however did not last long as Umakanta rose again to help the Ghari side retain the lead the very next minute. A2 Patsoi sprang up again with Chaoba hitting the equaliser in the 37th minute before Nonganba came up to hit his second and wrap up the game 3-2.
Meanwhile in the last quarter final match of the tournament, LASHAL, Leimapokpam ran riot from the beginning to notch up a 4-0 win against FC Achanbigei and completed the semi-final line up.
Imran hit the opener early in the 9th minute while his compatriot Rakip was quick to double the lead the very next minute. Jiminao found the third four minutes latter as FC Achanbigei hardly resisted and Dayananda rounded off the scoring the 24th minute of the match and helped his team set up semi-final clash with A2 Patsoi.
RFC, Khamnam Leirak will meet ESO-A, Bamdiar in the first semi-final match tomorrow at 3 pm.