M Bijen Singh scored four goals as hosts Manipur spanked minnows Himachal Pradesh 8-0 in the inaugural 58th National Football championship for the Santosh Trophy today. The winners opened up a two-goal lead at the breather and then added half a dozen more in the second session to pile on the misery on the visitors in the cluster four outing. The one-sided match at the Khuman Lampak main stadium saw the wily Bijen netting two goals in each half, while Ksh. Kanta Singh, N. Helen Singh, W. Tomba Singh and L. Tiken Singh chipped in with one apiece. Egged on by a sizeable crowd, the Manipuris were never really tested as Himachal Pradesh players failed to find their bearings during the 90-minute encounter. Manipur, who have fielded a strong team thanks to the All India Football Federation's policy of allowing players to represent their native states only, established quick control over the proceedings, forcing the Himachalis on the defensive. However, the hosts missed out on a more impressive scoreline, with their forwards squandering a number of gilt-edged chances. Earlier, state Governor Ved Marwah declared open the championship in which 32 teams from across the country are taking part. (PTI)
Manipur beats Himachal in Santosh Trophy inaugural
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