SSU down SU 3-2 on penalties to enter 62nd CC Meet semis

By Our Sports Reporter
IMPHAL, Dec 29 : Southern Sporting Union (SSU), Singjamei beat Sagolband United (SU) 3-2 via tie breaker after a goalless draw during normal time at Mapal Kangjeibung today to ensure their place in the semi-finals of the ongoing 62nd Sir Churachand Singh Memorial Football Tournament (CC Meet).
The second quarter final match,  staged 15 minutes later from the original schedule owing to eligibility issue of  SU, proved distasteful and totally unexpected with both teams indulging themselves in unnecessary tackling and challenges. The central referee had to step in many a time to bring the game in order, which was an ugly sight that robbed the spirit and the beauty of the game.
The game however witnessed SSU enjoy a slight dominance in terms of possession and number of scoring chances with respect to the Sagolband side however lack of composure and  finesse held them back from making the headway.
SSU, with Th Premjit leading the attack, saw squander their close chances on multiple occasion in this evenly poised game that ended in a goalless draw during normal time. SU too staged threatening runs in between SSU attack but had to see their efforts miss the target or simply end up in thick defence wall of their rivals.
As neither team make the most of the chances throughout the normal time, the winners were decided through kicks from the penalty mark wherein Sorokhaibam Singh, N Sanjivkumar and Th Chingkheinganba did well to convert from the spot to earn SSU a 3-2 win as only Ch Anandkumar and Basanta M found the target for SU.
In this aggressive quarter final match. SSU's N Sushilkumar (34'), L Roshan (48') and N Sanjivkumar (63') were yellow carded by the referee for their rash challenges while Henry Monsang of SU got the same early in the 15th minute.
NEROCA FC, Sangakpham will play Muvanlai Athletics, Kangpokpi in the third quarter final match tomorrow at 1.45 pm.