In a thrilling display of skill and determination, former Santosh Trophy champions Manipur secured a spot in the tournament’s semifinals with an emphatic 7-1 victory over Assam. Led by the outstanding performance of Wangkheimayum Sadananda Singh, who netted a remarkable hat-trick, Manipur showcased their prowess on the field.
The game began with Manipur’s captain Phijam Sanathoi Meetei setting the tone early with a goal in the 4th minute, courtesy of Sadananda’s help. This marked Meetei’s 11th goal of the season, establishing him as the leading scorer in the current Santosh Trophy edition.
Building on their early lead, Manipur continued to dominate the proceedings. Sadananda added to the tally with two more goals in the 11th and 16th minutes, displaying exceptional coordination with his teammates. Ngangbam Pacha Singh extended Manipur’s advantage further by converting a penalty in the 19th minute, awarded after a foul on Sanathoi Meetei.
Despite Assam’s efforts to stage a comeback, Manipur’s relentless attacks proved too much to handle. Sadananda completed his hat-trick in the 70th minute, while Maibam Deny Singh and Imarson Meitei contributed with goals in the 82nd and 88th minutes, respectively.
Assam managed to salvage some pride with a solitary goal from substitute Joydeep Gogoi in the 64th minute, showcasing moments of brilliance amidst Manipur’s dominant display.
With this resounding victory, Manipur demonstrated their championship credentials and advanced to the Santosh Trophy semifinals in style.
