Imphal, Sept. 2: Keishamth-ong Kabui Youth Club made a winning start to its campaign in the 2nd Division Imphal football league, recovering from a goal deficit to defeat Malom Tulihal Students Union 2-1 at Mapal Kangjeibung today. Organised by the Imphal West District Football Association, the league has eight teams in the fray.

The Malom team appeared to be the stronger one in the initial minutes of today’s match, L. Romen moving swiftly to the Keishamthong goalmouth and scoring with a whopper of a left footer. If the Keishamthong boys needed something to wake them up, this was it.

The next few minutes saw a series of raids on the Malom goal, one of which yielded a free kick. Lanangchung Kamson’s rasping shot left the Malom goalkeeper fumbling with the ball and Gaithaorei Golmei latched onto it for the equaliser in the 26th minute.

Keishamthong got its second goal through a penalty. Malom defender L. Indramani handled the ball awkwardly while trying to prevent a goal from being scored in the 33rd minute and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot.

Lanangchung Kamson took the shot and scored.

In another match, Wangoi Football Association defeated Social Union Nascent Club by a solitary goal. The all-important goal for Wangoi came from W. Manisana in the second half of the match.

Eastern Sporting win

M. Mandakini Devi’s hattrick got Eastern Sporting Union the Khetrimayum Iboyaima Senior Women’s Football League title on Saturday.

In the last league match, Eastern Sporting Union inflicted a 4-1 defeat on Naharol Yaipha Thourang Club. Th. Monika Devi scored the first goal for Eastern Sporting.

Ng. Bala Devi was the lone scorer for Naharol Yaipha.

Sepak Takraw: Manipur Police Sports Club claimed twin titles in the men’s regu and team events of the 23rd Senior State Level Sepak Takraw Championship 2007 played at Yawa Indoor Hall in Singjamei on Sunday.

In the final of the men’s regu event, Manipur Police beat the host team Youth Amateur Welfare Association by 21-17, 21-23 and 15-8. Manipur Police had earlier won the men’s team event beating the host team by 3-0.

In the women’s regu event, SAI RC took the title defeating Youth Athletic and Sepak Takraw Association, Thoubal, by 21-13 and 21-9 in the final match on Sunday.

Singjamei legislator I. Hemochandra distributed the prizes among the teams.