In football, Manipur’s T.G. English School clinched the Junior Boys title of the 63rd Subroto Cup International Football Tournament, defeating Meghalaya’s Myngken Christian Higher Secondary School 4-3 via a sudden-death tiebreaker, after both teams were tied 1-1 in regulation time. The final match was played at BR Ambedkar Stadium in New Delhi. It was the third time in history, first in 44 years, that a team from Manipur lifted the coveted trophy.
Manipur took the lead in the first half after Namdigong Kamei’s goal in the 32nd minute, but Banpliebok Khongjoh of Meghalaya equalised from the penalty spot in the 64th minute, just six minutes before the final whistle. In the sudden-death tiebreaker, Meghalaya’s keeper Wanpli Malang dragged his spot-kick wide, giving Manipur the prestigious title. Notably, Manipur played almost 20 minutes of the second half with only 10 men.
Subroto Cup is one of the oldest tournaments in Asia. Steeped in tradition, the tournament aims to promote football at the grassroots level in the country.
