Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 06:
Free Progress Academy of Uyumpok representing Imphal East district scripted come-from-behind 3-1 win over Eureka High School, Khongjom (Thoubal) in the final of the under-17 State level Subroto Mukherjee football tournament at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium today.
By virtue of the final triumph the Uyumpok Academy will represent Manipur in the All India Subroto Mukherjee football tournament to held at New Delhi from September 14 till October 14.Eureka drew first blood as early as the fourth minute through Kh Oken off a Kh Tully essay.
Unperturbed by the early setback, the Uyumpok side mounted pressure upon the Eureka citadel to restore parity as an equally determined Eureka players relying on swift counter attacks tried to consolidate their position.
With the Imphal East Academy unable to penetrate into the striking zone of the rival side till the 30 minute first half, change of ends changed the entire complexion of the match as the Academy boys slammed in three goals at regular interval to lay their hands on the trophy.
Inspite of an equally exciting and keenly contested second half, lack of finishing touch made the Khongjom school pay dearly as Free Progress Academy strikers made good use of defence splitting passes of the mid-fielders.
A Raju-Herojit combination in the four minutes after the break resulted with the latter levelling the score with the scorer becoming the provider for the second goal scored by Angou five minutes later.
Boycha collecting a pass from Umakanta completed the formality with a 50th minute strike.
The final match and closing programme was held with Youth Affairs and Sports Commissioner Ch Birendra (IAS), YAS Director AK Sinha and AMFA president L Ranjit Roy as the chief guest, functional president and guest of honour respectively.
In all 11 school sides representing nine districts and two sub-divisions competed in the tournament that started on August 2.




