After a titanic struggle, Army Green emerged victorious in the 128th Durand football tournament, overcoming Neroca FC Manipur 6-5 in sudden death.
After a titanic struggle, Army Green emerged victorious in the 128th Durand football tournament, overcoming Neroca FC Manipur 6-5 in sudden death.
The final was closely-contested and ended goalless in regulation time and 30 minutes of extra time. In the penalty shootout, the teams were tied at 4-4.
However, in the sudden death both Ashok Singh (Neroca FC) and Bikash Budhathoki (Army Green) converted. Then came, the decisive moment. Neroca’s experienced ex-international defender Govin Singh struck the crosspiece with his attempt. Substitute Bikram Adhikari calmly stepped up and placed the ball to the left of goalkeeper Lalit Thapa and Army Green emerged victorious much to the delight of the jawans who had assembled at Ambedkar Stadium here to cheer them on.
In the penalty shootout, Subash Singh, David Lalbiaklara, Mohammad Sohail Shah and Dhananjoy Singh converted for Neroca FC.
Ex-international Sushil Kumar Singh shot tamely into goalkeeper Mohammad Shanoos’ hands.
Army Green scored through P.P. Lallawamkima, P.D. Gurung, Uttam Das and Linesh P.V. Sturdy Bobby Chand Singh’s shot was saved by Lalit Thapa.
Neroca had the better of exchanges in the match but poor finish let them down. Their most experienced player Sushil had a bad day at office.
Towards the end of extra time, he headed out from close range after an inviting cross by substitute Anand Kumar Singh. Right back Ashok Singh also blazed over when well placed minutes before the final whistle.
The winners received a record sum of Rs 45 lakh from chief guest Air Chief Marshall Arup Raha. The runners-up Neroca FC got Rs 20 lakh.
1960 Rome Olympian S.S. Hakeem, who had supervised in the Durand tournament in the 1970s and 1980s, played for Indian Air Force in the 1960s and coached Mahindra and Mahindra to the Durand title in 1998, was honoured for his contribution to football.
