By Arun Amakcham
IMPHAL, July 10: As preparatory matches for the upcoming football season in the state, upcoming club, Anouba Imagi mangal, AIM had played three friendly matches with an Outsiders`™ team comprising of state players representing different I-league and other 2nd division teams in other parts of the country.
Speaking to this IFP reporter after the third and final match played today at SAI Takyelpat Football ground, AIM coach W Khogen Singh said the exposure is good for his players.
The experience will help AIM players in the upcoming season.
The AFC `B`™ Licence holder coach said his players had improved a lot from the previous two matches.
The AIM players had ended the first match against the outsiders`™ team with a 3-1 defeat followed by another 2-1 defeat in the second match. Both matches were played at the Liberal College ground, Luwangshangbam.
However today`™s match ended in a 2-2 draw.
Continuing on the form of his players, he said he is happy that the exposure has brought some changes to the playing style of his players.
He said earlier his players used to play for the namesake only without much tactics and styles, however after the few exposures against international players, he can witnessed a lot of improvement in his players`™ tactics and styles.
He can now see some modern football trends among his players.
He expressed his believe that if provided some more exposure his team will improvement more.
His team could win some of the major tournaments including the Manipur State League and the CC Meet 2012, if his players could turn their experience into practices during the upcoming season.
His team also boasts of several players who have represented the state in national championships including Santosh trophy.
Some of his players to look forward in the coming season midfield Manimohan, stopper Hemanta, striker Jimmy, Vandona etc.
The outsider team comprised of national team regular Gouranmagi, Sushil Kumar, Dharamjeet, Rajesh, Lolendro, Subhash etc.