Imphal, June 20: Chingtam Tam’s T. Ibomcha Singh led his team into the final of the 9th Challenge Cup Veterans’ Football Tournament, defeating Football Lovers Association of Manipur 2-0 in the first semifinal at Mapal Kangjeibung today.

Ibomcha was adjudged Man of the Match for his performance today.

Undefeated so far, crowd favourites Chingtam started off well and sustained it throughout the match.

Diminutive forward Ibomcha displayed a combination of strategy and agility, aided by some brilliant passes from M. Nobin.

For the first goal, Nobin passed a curling kick to the Football Lovers’ goalmouth, where a waiting Ibomcha shot in a perfect header in the 21st minute.

Five minutes later, Chingtam got a corner taken by Roland Sithlou, which Ibomcha struck into the net for his second header in the first half.

Though Football Lovers struggled to regain composure with numerous attacks amidst intermittent rain.

Khurai Veteran Football Association will take on Chingoi Baruni Veteran Trust in the second semifinal at 3pm tomorrow.

Referee course

A five-day basic referee course for teachers began at Khuman Lampak, hostel No. 1, as part of the Grassroots School Football League today. Fifty schoolteachers and representatives are taking part in the course conducted by All India Football Federation referee instructor Jadav Chandra Haobam.