JA beat SAO 2-1 to win Tikendrajit Memorial U13 boys football title

By Our Sports Reporter
IMPHAL, Jun 30 : Juvenile Association (JA), Kakching sealed a 2-1 win against Sena Athletes' Organisation (SAO) to win the title of the 3rd Ksh Tikendrajit Memorial U-13 Boys State Level Invitational Football Tournament organised by District Sports Association at DSA Playground under the aegis of All Manipur Football Association.
JA dominated the early proceedings and sealed a 2-0 lead in the first half before holding their lead to deny SAO from drawing level in the second half. Rishikanta put JA ahead in the 25th minute while the other goal came from the feet of Nitish five minutes latter.
N Klose of SAO pulled back a goal in the 45th minute to cut the gap but SAO failed to come to level terms despite their efforts as SAO players stood well and firm to keep all threats at bay and eventually walked home away as the winners.
JA's Zaithleen (27') and Rishikanta (28') were yellow carded by the referee for their unsportsmanlike behaviours during the game.
The final match cum valedictory function of the tournament participated by 7 teams clubbed into two groups was graced by N Praveen Singh (IAS), Deputy Commissioner Imphal West; P Raghu Singh, Princial Kha Manipur College, Kakching; L Jyotirmoy Roy, general secretary i/c, AMFA; L Nabachandra Singh, Asst general secretary, AMFA; M Ratankumar Singh, technical convenor, AMFA and L Chaoba Devi, Instructor, AIFF as dignitaries who also feted the winners, runners up and other participants.