Imphal, December 09: The North Imphal Sporting Association (NISA) has been crowned the new CC Meet champions after the Thangmeiband side overwhelmed All Moirang Football Association (AMOFA) 2-0 in the final of the 51st Sir Churachand Singh KCSI CBE Memorial Football Tournament at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium today.

Watched by a record crowd in the competition's history, NISA struck in each half against an off-colour AMOFA to clinch the coveted trophy in its third attempt.

NISA had entered the final in 1969 and 1994. With majority of the boisterous crowd composed of NISA supporters that marginalised an otherwise impressive thronging from Moirang, the former finalist began on an attacking note and nearly struck five minutes into the game had a close range header from O Pritam Singh not gone straight to the rival custodian.

There was no such miraculous escape for AMOFA as in the very next moment a throw-in from the right found M Bidyasagar whose sharply dipping attempt caught the Moirang custodian L Premkumar off guard, hit the crosspiece and reached S Manimohan who unleashed a rasping drive to the far post that expectedly resulted in bursts of cracker from the stand.

NISA could have comfortably increased the lead before the halftime whistle as several chances came their only.

But hasty clearance from the danger zone by AMOFA defenders, collision of NISA players in trying to take the shots and some timely save by Premkumar kept the scoresheet unchanged.

The first half was a forgettable session for the Moirang side as their frontline players either lacked sting or direction even as NISA's M Abhiraj made a goal-line save after its goal-tender L Ashok missed the flight from the left flank cross.

However, NISA also owed its victory to the lanky custodian whose timely collection of aerial threats, particularly in the second half, apart from water-tight defence of its citadel by the defenders proved decisive in the end.

With mercurial forward S Stephen Hmar not able to have a clear shy at goal due to close marking by opponent defenders and the competition's highest goal-getter Th Joychandra (six) limping out of the game, it was imminent AMOFA would face an uphill task in living upto its giant killer reputation of the tournament, whose victims include the previous champion SSU in the semi final.

NISA virtually sealed the match in the 67th minute when a halfline clearance reached the Thangmeiband side's skipper O Pritam.

The diminutive skipper darted past AMOFA players and with only Premkumar to beat from the edge of the box made no mistake in finding the mark.

With the exception of a late assault from AMOFA during which L Ratan's shot ricocheted off the upright to safety no serious threat was posed to Ashok.

On the otherhand, NISA sensing victory concentrated in ball possession for the remaining session of the match before the final whistle saw the capacity crowd erupt in joy with even the AMOFA supporters joining the applause for the entertaining game.

The champions walked home richer with the Rs 60,000 top booty besides the trophy with the final debutant AMOFA awarded Rs 25,000.O Pritam was declared player of the final match as MPSC's I Nilakumar, who scored six goals, bagged the best player award and Th Joykumar unarguably claimed the top scorer prize.

Apart from cash awards to the trio, tournament hosts AMFA honoured veteran players Y Ibohanbi, N Biren and Angouba Kabui; footballer of the year (male) T Suraj Singh (NISA) and MPSC's L Ronibala Chanu (female); Coach of the year E Ratan Singh; Fair Play trophy United Sports Association, (USA) Khurai; and Best Referee L Ajitkumar Singh.

All the said awards carried cash incentives of varying amount which were donated to AMFA by individuals/relatives in memory of their respective family members.

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