SSU rout NP to retain CC Meet title
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 24: Reigning champions Southern Sporting Union (SSU), Singjamei defended the CC Meet title in style after a 4-0 demolition of Nagaland Police (NP) in the final of the 50th Sir Churachandpur Singh KCSI CBE Memorial Football Tournament 2006 at Khuman Lampak main stadium today.

The Singjamei team, that had won the tournament in the 2001 and 2002 editions, also scripted a new chapter in the history of CC Meet football competitions as its 4-0 title triumph today is by far the highest victory margin in a final.

SSU players receiving the champions' trophy from Sports Minister Govindas Konthoujam

SSU is also the losing finalists in the 1985 and 1986 editions of the tournament while Nagaland Police had featured in the final thrice but is yet to open its title account.

Outclassing their opponent in virtually all departments of the game SSU with swift passes and deft individual footwork coupled with clinical finishing pumped in all the goals in the first half itself to dash any hope for a comeback by Nagaland Police one of three outstation teams to compete in the tournament's golden jubilee edition.

Compounding the cops' misery was Vizoru hitting the crosspiece from the penalty spot in the 69th minute.

The penalty was awarded after Priyokumar brought down Visakholie inside the restricted zone.

While the Singjamei side made its intention clear and went on the offensive from the first whistle launching blistering attacks the Nagaland Police side was marked by lethargic approach to the game and shot wide or over the target.

An idle S Narakanta under the SSU goal was only disturbed when free kicks were awarded and taken from near the box.

Sustained pressure from the start paved the way for the defending champions' opening goal in the eighth minute when a harmless clearance from near the centre saw Tiken in hot pursuit into the Police goalmouth only to end with one of two rushing NP defenders handle the ball.

Tiken himself took the kick as Zuthango flung to his left with the ball rolling to the right.

After Charan Rai missed an opportunity to double the lead and his pass minutes later to David Kamson went waste as the latter delayed in taking the shot, a mix-up among NP defenders yielded SSU's second of the match in the 19th minute.

While R banny Chiru burst ahead following a lofted through ball from David Kamson, the NP defenders mistaking Tiken to be offside gave up the chase only to helplessly watch Banny Chiru lob over the on-rushing Zuthango.

after Th Sangkar's bicycle kick went straight to Zuthango and Banny Chiru's header missed the far post, SSU extended the advantage in the 24th minute off a goal-mouth melee following a corner kick from L Tiken with Banny Chiru rising above the rest and nodding downward that evaded the outstretched hands of Zuthango, again.

The rout was completed when a Banny Chiru through ball to Gaichungam Kamson saw the latter weave through the NP defence to gently tap home past a helpless Zuthango in the 32nd minute.

Tiken could have further increased the score at the fag end of first half but his on the run salvo missed the mark by the proverbial whisker.

The lemon break initially seem to have revitalised the Police side who managed to breach the strong SSU defence line marshalled by N Uttam in the centre while Priyokumar and former Manipur team captain Kh Ratan barricaded the flanks.

However, the few chances that came NP's way could not be converted into goals as the strikers either lacked sting or their shots went wide off the target.

On the otherhand SSU cushioned by the four goal advantage concentrated on territorial domination and went on the offensive only sporadically but nevertheless gave some anxious moment to the NP custodian who indisputably was the most busy player of the game.

The tournament organised by All Manipur Football Association since November 28 was participated by 27 teams with the three outstation sides competing from the quarter final league stage.

The closing ceremony saw AMFA felicitate three veteran players apart from presentation of State's best male and female footballers of the year (2006) award.

The yesteryear players honoured with the presentation of mementos are N Dhiren Singh of Haobam Marak Lourembam Leikai, D Abui Kabui of Kakhulong and Th Dhanabir of Khurai Thoudam Leikai.

in all 36 officials comprising of match commissioners, panel of referees and spotters who played a crucial role in the successful conduct of the tournament were also felicitated during the closing ceremony held with Sports Minister Govindas Konthoujam as the chief guest.

The 'footballer of the year (male) award' carrying a cash prize of Rs 5000 was bagged by S Premjit Meitei of ESU, Wangkhei with A Romi Devi also of ESU adjudged State's female player of the year having a cash prize of Rs 2000.In addition to the champion team walking away with the Rs 1 lakh top booty, L Tiken also clinched the man of the final match award while MPSC's I Nillakumar was emerged as the highest scorer of the competition on seven goals.

Runners-up Nagaland Police had to be content with Rs 50,000 as R Banny chiru was named best player of the tournament and S Basanta of ASSA walked away with the 'best goalkeeper' award.

The best referee title went to L Yaima and the 'coach of the year' honour going to L Dhonen of SSU.

The champions were also presented with the 'fair play' trophy.