TBSFA overwhelm UKFC in 21st Challenge Cup opener

By Our Sports Reporter

IMPHAL, May 4 : The 21st Challenge Cup Veteran Football Tournament kicked off today with TBSFA, Taobungkhok thrashing UKFC, Uripok 4-1 in a one sided Group B encounter Mapal Kangjeibung. A total of 20 teams clubbed into 5 groups are taking part in the tournament organised by Manipur Veteran Football Association Imphal in two venues, Mapal Kangjeibung and Football Turf Khuman Lampak. The opening match of the tournament saw TBSFA enjoy a slender 1-0 lead till the break with Kh Ruman making the score in the 29th minute.

Confident TBSFA shifted gears in the second half and fetched two more goals through L Debachandra Singh and Naba in the 36th and the 41st minute to make it 3-0 past UKFC, Uripok.

Gunamani of UKFC however grabbed a face saving goal for the team in the 53rd minute of the match while Th Krishnatombi of TBSFA raced ahead to hit the last goal of the game in the 56th minute.

AVFA will take on VFC-B in the opening Group E league match of the tournament tomorrow at 2.30 pm at Football Turf, Khuman Lampak while PUPU will meet AMBA in the second Group E league match latter at 4 pm.