Breakthrough for Kuki Football Academy Junior and The Shepherd's Football Academy

 

🔖 Zomi Nam Ni Platinum Jubilee Cup 2023

⭕ Group-Stage Review

 💸 Championship Prize : ₹3 Lakh

 Group-Stage drawing to conclusion, knock-out round from February 1

Upset for SYMROPIA FC and New Lamka YC

 📝 By : Seiminlun Kipgen

January 30, 2023 (Monday)

A marathon group-stage actions of the Zomi Nam Ni Platinum Jubilee Cup 2023 had finally drawn into conclusion on Saturday when goals by KIYC striker Worchuipei Kashung and former FC Zalen and KSC striker Thangtinlen Haokip earned Golngai FC a 2-1 win against Dynamic Football Academy to secure a quarter-final place at Lamka Public Ground, Churachandpur.

 As expected, the likes of Lamka Sports Club, United Khawzim Brothers and Ganggam SC makes swift progress unscathed. But for what has become the biggest upset of group-stage,  SYMROPIA FC failed to to reach the knock-out stages for the first time in 5 years in a grand open football tournament. Another surprise eliminations were New Lamka YC and Chikim FC.

Prior to the start of the tournament, Kuki Football Academy (Junior) and The Shepherd's Football Academy were written off for knock-out places considering the quality of teams in their Group but defying all odds, the two sides took everyone to surprise with strings of spectacular results and performances and deposing some big names in the sideline, they make a deserving cut into the next round. 

With group-stage concluded, Manipur State League duo Ganggam Soccer Club and United Khawzim Brothers as well as Churachandpur District champions Lamka Sports Club maintained a 100% winning record with the two MSL clubs making things without conceding even a single goal to underline their defensive strength.

UKB's veteran striker Paokhongam Haokip still prove age is just a number as he comfortable lead the goal-scoring chart with 4 goals.

 

📃 Group-Wise Review :

 ⭕ Pool A -

Champions : Lamka Sports Club.

Runners-Up : Kuki Football Academy (Junior).

 SYMROPIA FC and Lamka Sports Club were considered favourites before the start of the tournament. LSC prevailed but SYMROPIA FC faltered thus paving way for Kuki Football Academy (Junior). Pehlum Lamhil Lawm Academy were also expected to be a surprise element in Group A but failure to capitalise their chances meant they were out of the topic.

 ⭕ Group B -

Champions : Ganggam SC.

Runners-Up : The Shepherd's FA.

Perhaps a group of death. Ganggam SC were firm favourites to go through but the three other teams of Group B had been assumed to have the same weight. With vastly experience players recruited by Chikim FC and New Lamka YC, both had the same expectations while The Shepherd's Football Academy, with their brilliant track record in previous tournaments, also held high regards. Both New Lamka YC and Chikim FC got collapsed and The Shepherd's Football Academy followed Ganggam SC to the next round.

 

⭕ Group C -

Winners : United Khawzim Brothers.

Runners-Up : Headquarters Athletic Union.

UKB were overwhelming favourites and were expected to make ease into the next round. They did so in comfortable fashion thrashing both Headquarters Athletic Union and AKSA (Kwakta) 4-0. AKSA Kwakta and Headquarters AU fought for the other available quarter-final slot in which the latter prevailed.

 ⭕ Group D -

Winners : Golngai FC.

Runners-Up : Football 4 Change.

 Not knowing which team they were and what type of players they have, thoughts couldn't be fixed on Golngai FC at the beginning. So, Football 4 Change were considered hot favourites to go through and Dynamic Football Academy and Golngai FC to battle it out for knock-out qualification. Against expectations, Golngai FC took everyone to surprise as they made ease into the next round while Football 4 Change got punishment in finishing runners-up as they are slapped to face UKB.

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