TEAM HERALD
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: Birchandra Memorial Sporting Club (BMSC), Taobungkhok, Manipur breezed past Mumbai Football Club 5-4 via the sudden death to emerge All-India champions of the eighth Nike’s under-15 Manchester United Premier Cup football tournament organized under the aegis of AIFF and GFA at Duler Stadium, here, Thursday. The teams were locked goalless even after extra time. The tie-breaker ended in a 4-4 draw as each side missed one spot kick each. While Roshan Singh converted for Manipur, Mumbai FC’s Sushant Jadhav shot wide.
Flavio Lopes INDIA CHAMPS: Birchandra Memorial Sporting Club (BMSC), Taobungkhok, Manipur, winners of 8th All-India Nike’s U-15 Manchester United Premier Cup football tournament celebrating their victory at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, Thursday. |
Manipur kept their cool in the penalty shoot-out as Suresh Singh, Buanthanglun, Jim Singh, Romario Singh and Roshan Singh converted while Prince Anandraj, Aftab Khan, Arif Shaikh and Saif Khan netted for Mumbai.
Manipur will now represent India in the South-East Asia regional finals in Malaysia in June. The winners in Malaysia will then take part in the world finals to be held in London later this year.
The Manipur team won the hearts of the sparse crowd as they displayed better positional play against the rivals from Mumbai who looked well beyond 15.
Manipur were awarded the winner’s trophy by Avinash Pant, marketing director, Nike India and Wim Koevermans, head coach, India football team.
Baichung Bhutia, former India football team captain and chairman, AIFF technical committee alongwith Sunil Chhetri, captain, India football team handed the runners-up trophy to Mumbai FC.
Arif Shaikh, Mumbai FC was adjudged highest scorer while Manipur goalkeeper Romario Singh was declared best player of the tournament. Both were presented Nike Mercurial limited edition shoes.
“I have to congratulate Nike for their initiative which gives a great platform for young budding footballers,” said Chhetri, who recently won his maiden I-League title with Churchill Bros.
On the other hand, Bhutia felt honoured to be associated with the tournament right from its first edition and wished the Manipur team best of luck in Malaysia. Bhutia stressed that the need not to indulge in age-cheating as it will only help Indian football at the senior level.
“It was a tough tournament and I have to congratulate the teams that made it to the finals. You are the future of India football and we need young players in the National team”, stated Koeverman
An exhibition match was held before the kick-off between Baichung Bhutia XI and Sunil Chettri XI which ended in a goalless draw.
Marcus Pacheco, India football team, goalkeeping coach; Brahmanand Shankwalkar, Arjuna awardee; Tassos Sioulas, technical director, Sesa FA; Clifford Chukwuma, head coach, Sesa FA; Lavinio Rebello, GFA vice-president (North); GFA executive members, Alirio Lobo, Babli Mandrekar, Gajanan Kerkar and Uday Lingudkar were those among present.
Jovito Lopes welcomed, compered and proposed the vote of thanks.
