Chandigarh, Oct 20: With every match, Thau Football Academy, Manipur has looked a different side. Playing brilliant and techically correct football, they have impressed all with their ball possession and finishing skills. With another free-flowing performance from their players, the Manipur team registered another clinical 4-1 victory over Chandigarh Football Association in the 10th Administrator's Challenge Cup All India football tournament for Under-17 boys, at the Sector 17 Football Stadium on Friday.

Thau Academy got off to perfect start when Chungneihen Km opened the account for the team in the ninth minute. The move was initiated by Arnold Singh who outpaced CFA defenders and his lofted pass was brilliantly collected by Vicky Singh. On sensing Km was waiting to lunge at the ball, his through ball was slotted home by the striker and the Manipur team was up by 1-0.

The CFA were yet to overcome from the shock when the Thau Academy once again made the most of a defensive lapse by the home team as Vicky Singh doubled the lead with a brilliant finish the very next minute. Carrying the 2-0 lead into the breather, the Manipur team continued to press hard and they got the third goal of the match in the 57th minute. Rishi Kumar Singh showed remarkable calmness and sent the ball past the diving CFA keeper.

With chances hard to come by, the CFA team desperately tried to get into the opposition territory. One such move yielded a goal as Suraj reduced the margin by scoring in the 65th minute. However, Kishan Kumar rounded off the tally for Thau Academy by adding his name among the scorers through a clinical finish in the 75th minute.

In another match, Football Coaching Center, Goregaon thrashed JJ Institute of Soccer, Bangalore 9-0 in a lop-sided encounter. Bhaskijya Saikia emerged as the star performer of the day as he scored six goals for the team. He opened the account in the fifth minute. After forcing a Bangalore defender to score an own goal, Saikia was again on target as he scored two quick goals to consolidate the team's position. Pranjal Moran (40th) and Sontush Singh (70th) were the other scorers for the Goregaon team while Saikia continued to enjoy the goal feast with three more goals.

The last match between Sambalpur Football Academy and Dalbir Football Academy, Patiala ended in a 1-1 draw. Sukhjit Singh of Dalbir Academy opened the account in the 25th minute of the match. However, Bishnu Mirza equalised in the dying minutes of the match to salvage a point for the Sambalpur Academy.
(Courtesy: Indian Express)