Posterior on top

Cosmopolitan go down 1-2 in final

OUR SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

Manipur Hockey

A moment from the match in Imphal on Sunday. Picture by Eastern Projections Imphal, Jan 26 : Posterior Hockey Academy Manipur emerged the new champions of the 2nd Manipur Hockey League 2008 defeating Cosmopolitan Youth Club by 2-1 goals in the last league match played at Khuman Lampak Hockey Stadium today. Posterior Hockey Academy Manipur, with an undefeated run in the league, completed their outing with 21 points from seven matches while Cosmopolitan Youth Club fetched 18 points to finish second. Manipur Police Sports Club took the third place with 13 points. In the last league match between Posterior Hockey Academy Manipur and Cosmopolitan Youth Club, the latter lost three crucial chances to score and handed the game to their opponents on a platter. Posterior Hockey Academy Manipur started off well, but their good run on the field was well countered by the Cosmopolitan men. Cosmopolitan Youth Club got a chance to score, but the shot was mistimed and the first half ended goalless. Resuming in the second half, Posterior Hockey Academy Manipur had a tough time in the middle and it seemed that they have met their match in Cosmopolitan. However, Posterior broke the deadlock with K. Devkishore Singh netting home a field goal to take the lead in the 43rd minute of play. Not to be outdone, Cosmopolitan Youth Club struck back in the 45th minute as Th. Manjit Singh netted the equaliser from a field goal. As the game progressed, both the teams put in their best for the winning goal and a fierce midfield tussle ensued. Cosmopolitan were awarded two penalty corners but both of them were wasted. Posterior Hockey Academy Manipur kept on the pressure which finally paid off in the 58th minute as O. Boniyam Singh scored from a penalty corner conversion. They maintained the lead till the final whistle to emerge as the winners of the league.