ABA, NESU victorious as IE 1st Divn League begins

By Our Sports Reporter
IMPHAL, Aug 21 : The Moirangthem Ibobi Memorial First Division Football League Tournament 20-19-20 being organised by Imphal East District Football Association kicked off today at NESU Ground, Khurai with ABA, Kshetrigao and NESU earning opening wins.
The opening match saw ABA score a goal each half to seal a 2-0 win against UPSA, Pukhao. Md Asif Khan handed ABA the lead in the 17th minute while the second goal came from the feet of Md Ali Khan in the 71st minute of the match.
Meanwhile in the second match, NESU, Khurai fought from a goal down to edge past ESU, Wangkhei by 2-1 goals.
A Arif Hussain put ESU ahead early in the fourth minute but NESU rode on M Stalon to pull level in the 27th minute after trading some runs on both ends.
The first half ended 1-1 as neither team could capitalise on the on goal chances . The two sides toiled hard in the second half as well in search of the lead but failed to translate their efforts into goal till T Dickson of NESU broke the deadlock lately in the 76th minute.
NESU then withstood huge pressure from the Wangkhei side as they struggled to salvage a point but ended up without any breakthrough. Eventually NESU surged home with the 2-1 finish.
N Bhagirot of ESU was yellow carded in the 78th minute of the match.
CSC, Chanung will meet NIVSA, Keibi in the next match tomorrow at 1 pm before Angtha FC face SSC, Porompat latter at 3 pm.