Imarson meitei

National Football Championship: Wangkheimayum Sadananda Singh scored three goals as former champions Manipur came up with a powerful display to hammer Assam 7-1 in the third quarterfinal of the 77th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy at the Golden Jubilee Stadium, here on Tuesday.

Manipur surged to a 4-0 lead within 20 minutes, thus virtually eliminating any chances of an Assam comeback. However, Assam managed to salvage some pride with a second-half goal.

While Sadananda Singh scored in the 11th, 16th and 70th minutes skipper Phijam Sanathoi Meetei (4’), Ngangbam Pacha Singh (19’, P), Maibam Deny Singh (82’) and Imarson Meitei (88’) were the other scorers for the winners. Joydeep Gogoi scored the only goal for Assam in the 64th minute. Phijam Sanathoi Meetei opened the scoring as he seized the opportunity in the 4th minute from Sadananda Singh’s pass outside the box to sneak the ball past Assam goalkeeper Abhinash Mech.