Imphal, May 23: Football Lovers Association Manipur defeated Khurai Veteran Football Association by 3-1 goals in the 15th Challenge Cup Veteran Football Tournament under way at Mapal Kangjeibung on Wednesday.

Both teams initially had a difficult time negotiating a slippery ground after a brief spell of rain, which resulted in a goalless first half.

Football Lovers opened their account in the second half with Kh. Surmani Singh ruffling the net in the 36th minute for the lead. They consolidated in the 49th minute with P. Sunil Singh hitting home. S. Somorendro Singh fetched his team’s third goal in the 53rd minute to post a three-goal lead. The Khurai Veteran players made a desperate attempt for a comeback in the final moments of the match and got their only goal through Md Azad’s kick that failed the Football Lovers keeper. In another match, Malom TRVSA held Yairipok AYMFA 2-2 to bag a point each. Yairipok got the early lead with Md Rashid Ahmed scoring the opener in the second minute and later scored again in the 16th minute.

The Malom Veteran side caught up with L.D. Rong Solien hitting home in the 19th minute to trail 1-2 in the first half. They scored again in the 36th minute with M. Jayenta Singh netting the ball to level scores 2-2 till the final whistle.