Match Highlights: A Tale of Two Halves
Organized by the All Jiribam Sports Association (AJSA), the tournament has been a centerpiece of local sports since its commencement on January 30. The atmosphere at the playground was electric as the two heavyweights faced off. Oriental Club Babupara won the toss and elected to kick off, while Sun Rise Club chose their side to defend.
The match began with high intensity, and it was Oriental Club that drew first blood. In just the 5th minute, their star player S. Rohit found the back of the net, opening the goal account for his team and putting early pressure on the opponents. However, Sun Rise Club Kadamtala refused to be rattled. Displaying excellent composure, they reorganized their attack, and in the 20th minute, Angamba scored a brilliant equalizer. The referee blew the whistle for halftime with the scoreboard reading a tense 1-1.
The second half saw both teams pushing for dominance, but it was Sun Rise Club that capitalized on their momentum. In the 40th minute, Najik struck the decisive blow, scoring the second goal for Kadamtala. Despite frantic efforts by Oriental Club to level the playing field, the Sun Rise defense held firm until the final whistle, sealing a 2-1 victory.
Officiating and Sportsmanship
The match was conducted smoothly under the watchful eyes of the match officials. Kh. Nilkmal Singh served as the Centre Referee, supported by Ikbal Hussain (Asst. Referee 1) and Sahjamal Choudhury (Asst. Referee 2), with Aziz Haider acting as the reserve referee. The game was played in high spirits, reflecting the growing standard of football in the Jiribam region.
"It was a test of character for the boys today," a local sports enthusiast remarked after the game. "To go down a goal early and fight back to win shows the true spirit of championship football. This tournament is exactly what our local athletes need to showcase their talent."
The Grand Finale Awaits
With this victory, the stage is now set for an epic showdown. Sun Rise Club Kadamtala will face RYC Ramgaizang in the grand finale.
Football fans across the district are eagerly anticipating the final match, which is scheduled to take place on February 13 at 2:00 PM. As the tournament draws to a close, all eyes will be on the Jiribam Higher Secondary School playground to see who will lift the 20th Thokchom Radhamani Memorial trophy.
✍️ Published by Lakhipuronline Team
