Former champions Manipur demonstrated their dominance as they charged into the Santosh Trophy semifinals with a commanding 7-1 triumph over Assam. Wangkheimayum Sadananda Singh stole the spotlight with an exceptional hat trick, guiding his team to a resounding victory in the quarterfinal clash held on Tuesday.
Sadananda’s scoring spree began early in the match, finding the back of the net in the 11th, 16th, and 70th minutes, showcasing remarkable skill and precision. His outstanding performance was complemented by his teammates, with captain Phijam Sanathoi Meetei, Ngangbam Pacha Singh, Maibam Deny Singh, and Imarson Meitei also making significant contributions to Manipur’s dominant display.
The momentum was established by Meetei’s early goal in the 4th minute, assisted by Sadananda’s pinpoint pass. Meetei continued to lead Manipur’s attacking efforts, applying relentless pressure on Assam’s defense throughout the game.
Sadananda exhibited his aerial prowess with a diving header in the 11th minute, capitalizing on a well-timed pass from Ngathem Imarson Meitei. The Manipur side continued their offensive onslaught, with Sadananda securing his brace shortly after, courtesy of a well-coordinated play orchestrated by Sanathoi Meetei.
Assam encountered further setbacks when Manipur was awarded a penalty in the 20th minute, following a foul on Sanathoi Meetei inside the box. Ngangbam Pacha Singh capitalized on the opportunity, confidently converting the spot-kick to extend Manipur’s lead to 4-0.
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Despite Assam’s attempts to mount a comeback, they could only manage to score one goal, courtesy of substitute Joydeep Gogoi’s brilliant finish in the 64th minute. However, Manipur swiftly regained control, with Sadananda completing his hat-trick with another header before Deny Singh compounded Assam’s misery with a composed finish.
Imarson Meitei sealed the emphatic victory for Manipur with a goal in the 88th minute, securing a comprehensive seven-goal rout.
With this impressive win, Manipur progresses to the Santosh Trophy semifinals, showcasing their prowess and determination on the football field. Wangkhei-mayum Sadananda Singh’s exceptional performance undoubtedly shines as a testament to Manipur’s footballing excellence in the 77th Santosh Trophy for the 2023-24 season.
