13th MSL : YPHU, SU open winning accounts

By Our Sports Reporter
IMPHAL, Feb 12 : YPHU opened up their campaign at the 13th Manipur State League being organised by All Manipur Football Association with a 2-0 win against KLASA, Keinou today at Football Turf Ground as SU which went down 0-1 to YUFC in their first fixture, sealed a slender 1-0 win against DM RAO, Sekmai latter in the day.
In the first match of the day (tournament's 8th), YPHU, Lalambung were ahead with an early freak goal by S Jameson before Lunkhongam Haokip scored the team's second during the stoppage time. Although YPHU earned all three points the two sides were almost on level terms enjoying fair share of chances and possession.
KLASA which suffered a 0-2 loss to NISA, Thangmeiband in their opening match were caught by surprise with S Jameson Singh unleashing a fine shot following a quick team effort in the 2nd minute to put YPHU ahead.
The remainder of the game was an end to end affair with YPHU looking to extend the lead and KLASA trying to draw level. KLASA too had few chances to pull level but lack of precision in their attempts held them back from laying a comeback path.
After trailing behind in the first half, KLASA were seen pushing more men forward and dominating the possession but YPHU defence were quick to react and avert the rivals' chances and thus kept their lead intact.
After wasting many effort KLASA had to see Lunkhoungam Haokip fire home YPHU's second two minutes into the stoppage time and return home with no points for the second time.
Meanwhile the second match between Sagolband United (SU) and DM RAO was also an evenly poised game where the two had similar amount of scoring chances and possession but a goal from the spot by Basanta in the 24th minute helped SU earn all three points.
The penalty was awarded after SU's Dangmei Gaipulan was downed inside DM RAO's area by its defender, Somokanta and Basanta who stepped up to take the kick made no mistake in sending the ball into the net.
UKB will play NISA, Thangmeiband in the 10th match of the tournament.