Imphal, December 04: Former champions Manipur Police Sports Club (MPSC) carved out 5-2 victory via the tie-breaker over Youth Welfare Club, Thambalkhong in the opening match of the 49th All India Sir Churachand Singh KCSI, CBE Memorial Invitation Football Tournament 2005 at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium today.

Tie-breaker had to be applied as regulation period in the lung opener between MPSC and last edition's runners-up YWC ended with both sides scoring one goal apiece.

The police side was saved from embarrassment mainly due to agility of its goalkeeper O Ingobi who saved two shots from the penalty spot.

While N Maimu, Th Rohen, K Premkumar and I Nilakumar converted their shots into goal only P Kamson managed to beat Ingobi under the police bar.

Ingobi, who played in the recent Santosh Trophy football tournament, parried shots from Ng Santosh and Th Saran to provide victory to the police side.

Earlier in the match, YWC drew first blood when a fluent move from Santosh - Hemin Guite - Helun Haokip - combination culminated with Helun finding the back of the police net in the ninth minute.

YWC custodian Holkholan Lupho preserved the slender lead till the half time whistle saving a powerful drive from MPSC's N Deshkumar in the 23rd minute.

However, Th Rohen drew parity for the police outfit off a Nilakumar essay in the 68th minute.

With neither side able to break the deadlock tie-breaker had to be resorted in which composure of the police player proved decisive.

MPSC had lifted the coveted trophy in 1977, 1978, 1980, 1986, 1988 and 1989 while finishing second best in 1976 and 2001.The opening ceremony of the tournament was held with Commerce and Industries Minister N Mangi and AMFA president A Santoshkumar as the chief guest and president respectively.

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