Imphal, April 17: SSU, Singjamei dethroned defending champion NEROCA, Laipham Khunou with a 5-2 win via tie-breaker in the final of the 2nd Tiddim Trophy Invitation Football Tournament 2005 at Khuman Lampak main stadium today.

With normal period ending at 1-1 and 20 minute added time failing to break the deadlock penalty shoot-out had to be applied to decide the winner during which SSU players maintained composure to emerge as the champion.

The summit clash between the football power house began cautiously with SSU having slight edge over the arch rival in terms of ball possession.

SSU eventually established the lead with a 21st minute goal from Banny Chiru off a Romio cross.

However, NEROCA restored parity in the very next minute following a H Amar goal.

As second half resumed with both sides trying to outwit each other the exchanges took a rough turn compelling referee to flash yellow card against Charan Rai of Neroca for dangerous play in the 53rd minute with team-mate K Boiboi receiving similar treatment for lunging at SSU's Joychandra 10 minutes later.

Even though the referee showed leniency in booking Boiboi for the second time in the match for infringing at Gaichungam in the 60th minute the official had no hesitation in awarding penalty to the Singjamei outfit.

However, Banny Chiru's shot from the spot sailed over the crosspiece thereby wasting a golden chance to retain the lead.

After NEROCA had its third player booked in the match at the fag end of the final tie 20 minutes was added to decide the winner as the score remained unchanged.

Compared to Gaichungam, Jayanta, Banny Chiru and Thangthang managing to squeeze past the NEROCA custodian from the spot only Manimohan succeeded in beating the SSU 'keeper out of the first three attempts.

The winners pocketed Rs 50,000 while the losers had to be contended with the Rs 25,000 second prize.

The best goalkeeper award carrying cash prize of Rs 1000 went to NEROCA's Lalit Thapa, with the Rs 2000 best scorer award bagged by TRAU's Bisheshore as Kanta of SSU was adjudged the best player of the tournament.

SSU was also declared the winner of the fair play award.

It may be recalled that due to various factors including inclement weather and imposition of bandh the final match had to be postponed from the earlier schedule.

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