Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 13:
Citizen's Club, Soibam Leikai created history by reaching the final of the 47th All India Sir Churachand Singh KCSI, CBE Memorial Invitation Football tournament at Mapal Kangjeibung today.
Continuing its undefeated spree in the tournament from the qualifying round onwards the Soibam Leikai outfit reached the milestone in the annals of the prestigious tournament defeating two time champion United Sports Association (USA), Khurai 2-0 in the first semi final today.
The match marked by frayed temper with the referee flashing as many as three yellow cards in the first half culminated in USA's N Helen receiving the marching order for two consecutive bookings six minutes from end of normal period.
Citizen's Th Ibomcha (5th) was the first to be booked followed by Helen (22nd) and team-mate P Romesh (27th).With the Khurai side missing some its main players due to previous bookings, Citizen for- wards backed by its hardworking mid-fielders began to dominate the proceedings in the second session after a goalless first half.
The third flag kick of Citizen's Club taken by Boicha took an awkward bounce finding an unmarked Doren who nodded home the opener within hand-shaking distance eight minutes after the interval.
After the Citizen defenders miraculously prevented the opponent striker from restoring parity in the 75th minute following a goal-mouth skirmish, USA faced a one-man shortage when Helen protested referee's decision to award a free kick to the opponent since for Helen�s infringement in the 85th minute of the match.
Protesting the referee's decision Helen kicked the ball out constraining the official to flash the red card.
Grabbing the opportunity, Citizen launched several tirades at the USA citadel as Raisangmi vashum thudded in the decisive goal in the 87th minute when Boicha essayed a cross from Md Kabir to Raisangmi.




