Santosh Trophy 2022-23: Manipur thrash West Bengal

by Ayan Abdulla February 16, 2023

Manipur thrashed West Bengal 4-1 in the third round of a Group B fixture at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha earlier today.

Naoba Meitei, Subash Singh, Naocha Singh and an own goal from Biswajit Hembrom completed Manipur’s goals while Souvik Kar netted West Bengal’s only goal of the game.

Manipur shook the West Bengal net after just 10 minutes into the game, through Naoba Meitei. He received a through ball from captain Subash Singh and pulled off a stunning finish from the left-side of the box.

Manipur scored their second in the 37th minute of the game. Ronald Singh’s free-kick from just outside the box hit the woodwork, but the rebound fell onto Subash Singh, who nodded it into an open net.

West Bengal pulled one back in the 57th minute. Substitute Sougata Hansda’s cross into the box was headed home by another half-time substitute, Souvik Kar, which gave his side some hope for a comeback.

But, it eventually didn’t happen. Manipur then continued to attack and created a lot of dangerous chances, but couldn’t add their 3rd until the 80th minute. Biswajit Hembrom’s attempt to clear Naoba Meitei’s cross went inside his own goal, sealing the deal for Manipur.

Manipur scored their fourth and completed their scoring in the stoppage time of the second half, this time by Naocha Singh. He ran onto Subash Singh’s brilliant chip ball and pulled off a right-footed shot to the left-bottom corner.

Lineups

Manipur- Ngamsang, Manuhormi, Carrick, Naoroiba, Maibam, Ronald, Yami, Shamjetsam Boy Singh, Subash, Naocha.
West Bengal- Raja Burman, Amit, Biswajit, Basu, Rakesh, Surajit, Dipak, Naro, Robi.

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