Source: Atom Samarendra - Updated at 17:30 IST
Imphal, March 15:
Hosts Manipur began its campaign to show its supremacy in football by crushing Arunachal Pradesh in the opening match of 2nd edition of Dr T Ao Doner football tournament at Mapal Kangjeibung today.
The tournament sponsored by department of development of northeast region is being organized by Sports Authority of India (SAI) in association with All India Football Federation and Manipur government.
The tournament was formally opened by Manipur Governor Arvind Dave as chief guest of the function which was attended by Manipur sports minister A Aza, Doner director SK Malik, director in-charge SAI sub-centre Guwahati Subhas Basumatary, director in-charge SAI sub-centre Imphal L Tiken and manipur sports commissioner S Budhachandra among others.
Speaking on the occasion Arvind Dave expressed his confidence that the tournament will help in promoting the movement of football in the region and also in producing footballers from the region at the national as well as international level.
It was very easy win for hosts Manipur trouncing Arunachal Pradesh by 8 goals to nil.
Taking the advantage of weak defence line and lack of passing coordination on the part of Arunachal, Manipur pumped in 4 goals by the end of first-half.
The first goal came from W Ajit in 8th minute.
I Nilakumar scored the second goal from a pass came from midfielder S Manglemjao from left wing in 29 minute.
Anil Gomei netted a ball passed by W Ajit in penalty area as third goal for Manipur in 34 minute.
The fourth goal was came from I Nilakumar again in 42 minute.
The ball was actually shot by W Ajit from left wing towards goalpost.
However Arunachal's goalkeeper Oyon Panyang failed to catch it.
The slipped ball was converted into goal by Nilakumar.
The entire half was totally dominated by hosts.
Arunachal could not push the ball towards forward.
However, they missed few prospective shots.
The second half which was also one-sided and Manipur pumped in another four goals.
The fifth goal came from S Manglemjao.
He received a free kick from St Thangthang and netted it directly in 64 minute.
In the 77 minute Bany Chiru scored a free goal through a pass from W Ajit.
The 7th goal came from W Ajit in 79 minute and Bany Chiru scored the last goal in 81 minute.
Lacking of passing coordination and weak in defence line on the part of the Arunchal was prominent during the match.
There was also some shortfall on Arunachal Pradesh goalkeeper which was later improve after changing Tapi Apa in the second half.
It was advantage for Manipur that five players who were part of Manipur team in the Santosh trophy are in the Manipur team.