IMPHAL, September 23: Defending champion NISA, Thangmeiband showed glimpses of its former self with a promising win today at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium after two consecutive defeats in the Manipur State League championship.
Playing against a AIM team high in confidence after 4our straight wins, Michael Joute of NISA scored the all-important goal in the 28th minute.
AIM coach W Khogen said his players have been mentally exhausted in the absence of recovery time in between matches resulting in the defeat.
Even though the AIM players tried hard they were unable to control the ball much.
Young Michael Joute scored the lone goal of the match with a beautifully taken free kick.
AIM received four yellow cards and as such according to the tournament conduct rule will have to pay a fine of Rs 5000 for mis conduct play.
NISA received two yellow cards.
After today’s defeat, AIM has lost a valuable three points. A win today could have taken them out of the other team’s reach.
AIM coach in his post-match interview, said his players are unable to recover fully due to the crowded match fixture. He continued the league has lost its sheen as the organizers have failed to provide recovery period to the players.
Players are unable to provide their 100 percent, he said.
He further lamented that the organizers should not organize the league tournament according to their own whims as it will not yield any good.
He continued that if the organizers continue like this the league would not produce any good players at all.
NISA coach Kh Ratan said today’s win has provided encouragement to his players and added that he can see that 70 percent of what he wanted has been successfully implemented in his team.
He expressed his hope that his players will be able to play better in the next games.
Meanwhile, AIM president Th Loya lauded the NISA players for the win.
He however lamented that the failure of the organizing committee to follow the AIFF/FIFA guideline would defeat the aim of the league to produce promising footballers from the state.
He said AMFA has failed to act even after AIM has submitted a memorandum to provide recovery period to the teams.
He continued that there is a need to change the AMFA administration otherwise football can never develop in the state.