Imphal, January 05: Southern Sporting Union (SSU), Singjamei fetched its third title of the prestigious All India Sir Churachand Singh Memorial invitation Football tournament with a solitary goal win over Manipur Police Sports Club (MPSC) in the final of the 49th edition at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium today.

With the victory SSU also retained the title it last won in 2003.Inspite of much expectation from today�s tie the summit clash failed to satisfy the crowd in terms of goal.

The match-winner itself was an opportunistic one mainly due to anticipation and acceleration of Charai Rai who reacted the swiftest to pounce on a loose ball in the police zone.

The centre referee M Joychandra Singh awarded a direct free kick to SSU when police mid-fielder Kh Sanaton brought down Gaichungam about five yards from the penalty zone.

The resultant kick taken by Uttam deflected off the police wall and dropped near Charai Rai who promptly slotted home for the only goal in the 69th minute.

Contrary to the final score the match itself began on a promising note as MPSC strike duo of Nillakumar and Deshkumar weaved through the SSU defence seconds after the kick-off only to end with the latter�s shot sailing over the crosspiece.

MPSC was also denied the equaliser when an 87th minute volley from S Rohen off a Nillakumar pass hit the wood-work before being cleared by Uttam.

Scorer of the match�s only goal Charai Rai was also the only player to receive yellow card booking for kicking the ball out after the referee had whistled for stoppage in the 77th minute of play.

The champion team walked home richer with the Rs 60,000 top prize and trophy while runners-up MPSC had to be satisfied with Rs 25,000.SSU also bagged the best discipline team title worth Rs 2000 while the tourney�s best goalkeeper and best player titles carrying similar sum went to S Narakanta (SSU) and I NiIlakumar respectively.

While the police striker scored maximum number of goal in the competition with seven the man of the final match title went to Charan Rai.

Match referee Joychandra was presented Rs 5000 award for his contribution to the tourney�s smooth and successful conduct.

As part of the closing ceremony of the tournament that started on December 5 the male footballer of the year award carrying a cash prize of Rs 5000 was presented to S Manimohan of NEROCA while Rani Chanu (MPSC) was adjudged State�s female footballer of the year having cash booty of Rs 2000.NEROCA�s S Premkanta was adjudged coach of the year award.

The final match and closing ceremony of the tournament organised by All Manipur Football Association under the aegis of AIFF were held with Governor Dr SS Sidhu and Chief Minister O ibobi Singh as the chief guest and functional president respectively.

MP Dr T Meinya was the guest of honour.

In his speech, the Governor highlighting popularity of football throughout the world applauded the endeavour and hard work of AMFA in successfully organising the tournament for the last many decades and expressed confidence of the State�s football body able to unearth talented players and churn them into match-winners at higher level of the sport discipline.

�This game�s eternal and universal appeal could be attributed to the unique balance that it strikes between simplicity and sophistication.

It is simple that it can be played anywhere with only one necessary object - a ball - and yet so sophisticated that each country retains its footballing culture, each match its own flavour, each team its own tactics,� the Governor said referring to global appeal of the game.

Terming health and discipline, team spirit and friendship as hallmarks of any games or sports, the Governor said world of sports have no place for enmity or barrier based on caste, creed and religion but rather promotes peace and brotherhood.

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