IMPHAL, May 13: Manipur stormed into the quarter final league round of the 65th national football championship for Santosh Trophy after defeating Kerala in a pre-quarter final match played today in Assam. According to a release of the AMFA detailing today’s match report, Manipur beat Kerala in the tie-break with 6-5 score as both the teams were locked in a goalless draw during normal time and extra time. As the spot kick begins, L Tiken who took first spot kick failed to capitalise but four remaining spot kicks taken by L Thoiba, L Ratan, Th Santosh and K Naoba found the net and the score were levelled at 4-4. In the sudden death both the teams were levelled at 5-5 and K Reagan who took the spot kick converted. Y Hemanta scored in another sudden death spot kick while Manipur custodian Premkumar saved sudden death spot kick taken by Kerala player. Manipur is grouped with Tamilnadu, West Bengal and Chattisgarh in the quarter final league round. Manipur will play its first quarter final league round match against Tamilnadu on May 17 and again play West Bengal on May 19. Manipur’s last match of the quarter final league round will be against Chattisgarh on May 21.
