SSU edge ESU 3-2 to lift Shaheed Manoranjan Memorial Football Tournament title

By Our Sports Reporter
IMPHAL, Feb 28 : SSU, Singjamei defeated ESU 3-2 in an entertaining final match to clinch the title of the 11th Shaheed Manoranjan Singh Memorial Football Tourna-ment organised by 143 Bn CRPF at SAI Sports Complex, Imphal today.
Both the finallists started the game cautiously and cancelled out attempts from the opposing ends until ESU found the breakthrough in the 28th minute off a fine strike by Thumsol Tongsin.
SSU which were unlucky not to score despite chances earlier, however came on level terms with Th Suraj hitting the equaliser in the 40th minute. To SSU's delight A Nanao converted another chance during the additional time (45'+1') of the first half to overturn the lead.
After trailing the game 1-2, ESU worked hard to pull level after the restart and soon it was four minutes into the second half that Naoba drew parity. The two sides continued to exchange runs as the score was levelled at 2-2 and off a fine run Shital fired home the fifth goal and the final goal of this exciting final match to help SSU regain the lead in the 65th minute.
With ESU unable to cut the lead, SSU cruised home 3-2 and deservingly walked away with the winners trophy and a cash prize of Rs 2,50,000. The runners up team, ESU on the other hand, had to contend with a trophy and a cash prize of Rs 1,50,000.
Third placed, Classic FA and fourth placed, WAFA, Wangoi were respectively feted with cash prizes of Rs 35,000 and Rs 15,000 besides trophies.
Man of the final match, H Shital of SSU (Rs 10,000+ Trophy); best player of the tournament and highest goal scorer of the tournament, Peter Seiminthang Haokip of WAFA (Rs 10,000+ Rs 10,000+ trophies) and best goalkeeper of the tournament, H Chingkheihunba of ESU (Trophy+Rs 10,000) were also feted during the closing ceremony of the tournament which was graced by Youth Affairs and Sports Minister, Letpao Haokip as the chief guest. The ceremony was also attended by Ng Memcha, mother of Shaheed Manoranjan Singh; Randeep Datta PMG, IGP, M&N Sector CRPF; senior officers of State Administration, Army, Police, CAPFs among others.
The tournament  was participated by 28 teams from across the State.