New Delhi: Goalkeeper M Linthoingambi produced a heroic performance to gift Radha Madhav Sanskrit Vidhyalaya, Nambol, Bishnupur, Manipur the Girls’ title of the 54th Subroto Cup at the Ambedkar Stadium here on Thursday.
Manipur survived a tough challenge from Govt Senior Secondary School, Alakhpura, Bhiwani, Haryana 6-4 (1-1) in a hard-fought final. Linthoingambi had a huge role to play in the outcome, saving quite a few attempts in regulation time and then holding her nerve to save an attempt from Ritu of Haryana during the penalty shootout.
This is the second time that a team from Manipur has won the Girls’ title.
It turned out to be a fitting finale with two equally matched teams fighting it out tooth and nail. Having outclassed most of their opponents in the previous matches, Manipur were expected to canter home to an easy victory, but Haryana had other ideas.
Though the speedy, skillful players from Manipur were a little bit superior in the technical aspects, Haryana made up for that to a large extent with their gutsy display in their maiden final appearance.
The team from the north-east dominated the early exchanges and Ratanbala Devi handed Manipur the lead in spectacular fashion, almost effortlessly dribbling past two rival defenders before punching the ball into the net.
Undaunted by the setback, the Haryanvis continued to fight back and they were almost rewarded for their perseverance when their winger Sanju sped down the left sideline before cutting in to unleash a powerful shot which forced a nice save from Manipur goalkeeper M Linthoingambi.
The start of the second half saw Haryana build up several attacks on the Manipur goal and almost inevitably, they forced the equalizer through Nisha in the 42th minute of play, she lashed on to an excellent pass from Sanju from the left.
With the teams equally matched in regulation time the match rolled into extra-time which turned out to be goalless.
In the penalty shoot-out, Ratanbala, D Grace, Ranjana Chanu, Ranjibala Devi, Sunita Devi converted for Manipur while Sanju,Munesh and Nisha converted for Haryana.
In the U-17 Boys’ category, Magurmari High School, Kokrajhar, Assam, rode on a splendid strike from Jwngbla Brahma to edge out Reverend Saiathanga Memorial, Mizoram and enter the U-17 Boys’ final of the 54th Subroto Cup. The match was an exciting, well contested affair and both teams were equally matched until Brahma’s late strike decided the outcome.
Ambedkar Stadium
U-17 Girl's Final Results:
Radha Madhav Sanskrit Vidyalaya, Nambol, Bishnupur, Manipur 6 (1) (Ratanbala Devi 14th min) defeated Govt SS School, Alakhpura, Bhiwani, Haryana 4 (1) (Nisha 42th min) (Girls’ final)
Penalty shoot-out: ( in order of attempts)
Manipur: Ratanbala, D Grace, Ranjana Chanu, Ranjibala Devi, Sunita Devi
Haryana: Sanju,Munesh,Ritu (Missed) Nisha
U-17 Boys (semifinal)
Magurmari High School, Kokrajhar, Assam 1 (Jwngbla Brahma 68th min) defeated Reverend Saiaithanga Memorial, Aizawl, Mizoram 0