Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 04:
A keen tussle can be guaranteed when formidable opponents Southern Sporting Union (SSU), Singjamei and Manipur Police Sports Club (MPSC) clash for the title of the 49th All India Sir Churachand Singh KCSI, CBE memorial Invitation Football Tournament at 1.15 pm at Khuman Lampak main Stadium.
With the summit clash record tied at 1-1 tomorrow�s match will be a closely contested match as either side would look forward to upstage one another in the third meeting between the two football powerhouses of the State.
For the record, SSU had played in the final four times compared to an enviable passage of the police side to the finals on 11 occasions.
Comparatively inexperienced but never deserved to be underestimated is SSU coach L Dhonel whose final clash ploy would be denying free run to battle-hardened police forward duo of I Nillakumar and N Deshkumar.
Dhonel also expressed confidence of defenders N Uttam and Kh Ratan able to enact the important role of joining the team strikers whenever situation demands.
On the other hand, MPSC coach Md Tayab Ali enjoying the confidence of his goalkeeper O Ingobi in thwarting the rival strikers from getting past the last line of defence also relies heavily on playmaker Kh Sanaton to exploit mid-field supremacy into constantly feeding Nillakumar and Deshkumar to ruin SSU�s aspiration.
In head to head count Nillakumar is on the verge of emerging as the highest scorer of the competition with seven so far while his nearest rival is no other than SSU�s prolific marksman R Banny Chiru with five goals to his disposal.
Custodian of both sides are also in the race for the best goalkeeper award with Ingobi helping his side reach the final with some fine saves including parrying a penalty kick while Narakanta has yet to concede a goal under the SSU bar.
In addition to the mouth-watering clash between the two giants, formal announcement and presentation of annual awards like best male and female footballers of the State, best coach and honouring players of yesteryears would be the other highlight of the tournament�s final day.
The competition had begun on December 5 and has so far witnessed 89 goals, marred by 36 yellow cards and two send-offs.