Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 24:
Khurai veteran Football Association (KVFA) tided over a first half deficit to clinch the 9th Challenge Cup Veteran Football Tournament title after a hard found 2-1 victory over Ching-Tam, Sha- ngakpham at Mapal kang-jeibung today.
After Dangmei Angam-pu provided the break- through for the Shangak-pham veterans from the penalty spot in the 10th minute, the KVFA equaliser came in the 50th minute through A Janeshwor before Tamphayai sealed the game two minutes later.
The match was evidently dominated by the Khurai veterans from the first whistle and could have established lead but found rival custodian S Premkanta a hard nut to crack under the Ching-Tam bar.
Moreover, KVFA strikers were also partly respon- sible for the slender win margin as several sitters were missed in the second half.
While the champion veterans pocketed Rs 15,000 and the trophy and the runners-up side awarded Rs 8000, lamka�s VC was adjudged the �fair play side� of the competition carrying a cash prize of Rs 1000.A Tamphayai was declared the best player of the tournament, with the best defender title going to Kh Raikumar of Ching-Tam while his team-mate S Prem-kanta claimed the best goalkeeper award.
Basanta Kabui of FLAM and VC, Lamka�s T Khuma were jointly declared Oldest Veteran Player of the tourna- ment held since May 20 with 14 teams competing in it.