An off-colour Manipur side had a miraculous escape and sailed into the semi final despite being held 2-2 by a gutsy Tamil Nadu side in the last group D quarter final league match at Khuman Lampak Main stadium marked by two send-offs, vociferous but matured spectators and Mexican wave.

Manipur with better goal average (beat Orissa 4-1 compared to Tamil Nadu's 2-1 win against the same opponent) entered the semi final and will play Goa on November 2. Watched by an over packed crowd, the host team never reached the expected height, and were to some extend, lucky to have entered the semi final round for the first time ever at the National Football Championship in the annals of State foot-ball.

On the hand, Tamil Nadu players showed glimpses of individual brilliance, team commitment and determination troubling the opponents, even after being reduced to nine men in the 75th minute of second half. After K Kulothungan received the marching order for an infringement on James Singh in the first half, F Jegan invited the wrath of" the match referee MK Roy for a dangerous tackle on N Uttam Singh fifteen minutes from regulation time barely five minutes from the first yellow card booking.

Not only were the referee's decision upheld by the crowd, but showing yellow cards to two Manipur player were equally applauded by the packed house sporting enthusiasts. While sloppy defending by Manipur yielded' the first goal for Tamil Nadu, a breathtaking stinging shot levelled the score during injury time.

Even though Manipur began the match on a confident note foraying into the opponent territory, Kulothungan drew first blood in the 11th minute, placing the ball to the right of goalkeeper Noren Singh. Intercepting a through pass by A Jestes Antony near the top, the unmarked Kulothungan took a few strides before sending a low ball past Noren who left his guard.

Moments after Kennedy Singh failed to direct a header into the net, throw-in specialist, L Uttamkumar set up the equalizing goal for the home side hurling the ball deep into the goal area from the right touch-line. Defender N Uttam Singh darting in sharply climbed to head in the well flighted ball to the open net in the 24th minute evoking a wild celebration with the now familiar drums, cymbals and trumpets while the opponent players remained stunned by the awesome throw.

The first half send-off of a player did not deter last year's semi finalists who braved the odds to give Noren a busy time under the bar. A rasping drive by Jestes Antony five yards from the marked zone was fisted out of danger by the custodian diving to his right.

Manipur also missed three clear chances to take the lead. L Tiken Singh chesting down a cross from Kennedy made rooms before unleashing a left footed pile-driver yards inside the danger zone only to bang the far end crosspiece. Kennedy's swerving free kick from the left edge of the box was also tipped over by the Tamil Nadu goalie JA John David.

Then M Bijen Singh muffed the easiest chance of the day lofting the ball over John David only to ricochet off the bar during injury time after being set up by Tiken with a faint flick inside the penalty area. The interval time belonged to the more than thirty thousand strong colourful crowd making the famous Mexican wave accompanied by musical instruments which was even joined by the full house VIP enclosure.

Tiken struck in the 69th minute of the match, connecting a cross from the right flank by L Manitombi, with a diving header to take the lead for Manipur. The crowd again enjoyed the goal with a round of the 'wave'.

Tamil Nadu's endeavour to level the score were severely jolted with Kulothungan being sent off five minutes later for a high tackle at Uttam. With a single point from the match ensuring the last four place, Manipur was contend with the 2-1 lead and relied on passing among themselves waiting for the final whistle.

The ploy nearly proved disaster for the home State as a folly by L Manitombi inside his own half was pounced by K Kumaravel and after making space unleashed a powerful drive that gave no chance to Noren for the equalizer in the 90th minute. However, the nine men Tamil Nadu could not add more goals clearing the path for the home sides' maiden entry to the semi finals of LG Santosh Trophy 2002 organized by AMFA. Kh Sanaton of Manipur was adjudged LG's Must Valuable Player of Match.

Earlier, in a crunch group C quarter final match, semi finalists in the last edition, Goa took an early lead against Karnataka with a spot kick conversion by Jules Dias Alberto. Referee pointed to the spot after Menino Fernandes was brought down inside the danger zone by opponent defender Niyaz Rahman P.

Goa dominating the first half made several inroads into the opponent danger zone before Sukhdev Arvade increased the lead in the 38th minute with a diving header off a Fernandes lofted cross from the left flank. Karnataka fared better in the second period compared to the first but goals continued to elude them till the tenth minute of play.

A Dayananda SK cross from the right into the crowded Goa goalmouth was headed into goal by the overlapping defender Parameswaran after teammate Sunil S failed to connect the teasing ball. With a drawn match also ensuring Karnataka's place in the semi final, due to better goal difference, almost every players were thrusted up to mount pressure on their opponent and even the goalkeeper Mark Mascarenhas left his post for a free kick during injury time.

He even came close to netting the equaliser with his header missing the target by inches. A Karnataka and two Goans were booked in the match. Goa's Menino won the Most valuable Player of Match award.