13th Manipur State League: MA survive late scare to egde AFC 3-2, remain on top

By Our Sports Reporter
IMPHAL, Feb 18 : Muvanlai Athletics, Kangpokpi had to deal with late pressure from AFC, Thoubal but won 3-2 thanks to first half goals, in the 20th match of the ongoing  13th Manipur State League organised by All Manipur Football Association.
AFC which are still looking for a win at this year's edition, held off early chances as Muvanlai Athletics who are provisionally on pole position mounted pressure from the onset of the match. The Kangpokpi side however managed to exploit AFC's defence lapses after the half hour mark with Songpu Singsit finding the net in the 32nd minute before Lungousem stretched the lead to 2-0 five minutes latter at Artificial Turf Khuman Lampak.
The impetus remained with Muvanlai Athletics as AFC continued to find their form and it was three minutes from break that Muvanlai's Ginminthang netted the team's third to further shrink their rival's comeback chance.
Muvanlai Athletics sat back with the huge lead after the restart and soon lost their grip and taking advantage of it, AFC pulled a goal back in the 57th minute through Th Suraj. It also proved to be a turning point for the match as the Thoubal team were seen dominating the possession in a bid to reduce the gap.
AFC forwards managed to create chances and keep the AFC defence line busy following the morale boosting goal but lack of precision and intent in their attempts denied them from going ahead. They however got a 90th minute penalty converted wth Fayazuddin at the striking end but had to see the Kangpokpi outfit go home 3-2 and remain on top of league table with three of three wins.
AFC's A Ratan (41') and Ng Peter (66') and Muvanlai Athletics (68') picked up yellow cards in this entertaining came.
Meanwhile in the second match of the day and tournament's 21st , S Basanta and S Kullarson scored two goals each to hand NACO a 4-2 comeback victory against GSC.
NACO, Nambul Mapal conceded a goal when Thangokhogen of GSC made a deep run and unleashed a power-packed shot in the 22nd minute capitalising on a poorly organised defence line of NACO. S Basanta however helped NACO pulled level in the 39th and overturned the lead at the stroke of the half time.
Spirited NACO then took charge of the game making the most of possession and scoring chances and to their delight, S Kullarson grabbed the team's third in the 70th minute off a fine fine pass from Kh Jolly. The team however made a blunder the very next minute as  Kh Benarjit netted into his own net to reduce the gap while trying to clear off a GSC's Bedeenpar Moyon attempt.
The own goal though failed to dampened the spirit of the Nambul Mapal side and after trading few runs, S Kullarson scored again deep into stoppage time (90'+4') and wrapped up the game 4-2.
Kh Rajnikanta (29') of NACO and GSC's Paulienjel (25'), M Tunlalpaul (26') and Rahmlousang (55') were yellow carded by the referee for their unsportsmanlike behaviours.
UKB, Churachandpur will play KLASA, Keinou in the 22nd match of the tournament tomorrow at 11.45 am while NEROCA FC, Sangakpham will take on YUFC, Ukhrul latter at 2 pm in the 23rd league match.