Shillong United stage late comeback to fetch 2-1 win
Shillong: With their backs against the wall, Lalmuanzuala and Orishi Singh scored a goal each for Shillong United as they staged a late comeback to beat Nangkiew Irat 2-1 in their Shillong Premier League tie on Wednesday. With incessant rains continuing to pour down, a sluggish display by the two opposing teams was expected. It was Nangkiew Irat in the lead with Chukwunonsu scoring four minutes before half time, gaining an upper hand. It was not until the 74th minute that Lalmuanzuala levelled for Shillong United to leave the game open for a win. Just four minutes later, Orishi Singh gave United the decisive lead with a shot past the keeper. United held on to the lead despite some tight resistance from Nangkiew before gaining points for the win. Meanwhile, in a Second Division game, Nongrim Hills and Umpling played to a 0-0 draw.
Northeastern sides shine in Subroto Cup
New Delhi: Northeastern states continued to hog the limelight in the ongoing 56th Subroto Cup football tournament as all the three teams that were in action on Wednesday won their respective matches in the U-17 girls category. First up, Chanamban Thambou Higher Secondary School from Manipur thrashed Chandigarh’s DAV Senior Secondary 7-0 at the Ambedkar Stadium here. Kashmina (7th minute, 47), Asem Raja Devi (23, 55 and 56) and Ranjitha (35, 44) scored for the winning team. Sports School from Nagaland then pumped in four goals past local side Sanskriti School with Abeino (34, 40) and Neichutu’O (39, 41) scoring a brace each. Later in the day, Dakhin Mazbat High School from Assam thumped Goa’s Our Lady of Rosery High School 7-0. Anjali Deka (13), Macha Sharma (22, 24), Dibi Baro (30), Macha (44), Bhabani Kumar (47), and Junaki Boro (59) netted for the Assamese side. On Thursday, the final of the sub-junior boys category will be played between Irtiglal High School boys (Afghanistan) and Chawngfianga Middle School (Mizoram). (IANS)
Zico urges FIFA to change election rules
Rio de Janeiro: Former Brazil great Zico urged world football’s governing body FIFA to change its presidential election rules. The 62-year-old, who plans to run for FIFA’s top job at an election in February, met with outgoing president Sepp Blatter in Zurich on Tuesday, Xinhua reported. His bid has been stymied by a FIFA rule stipulating that candidates must receive support from at least five national federations. So far, backed only by Brazil, Zico has until October 26 to be endorsed by four other federations. “It’s absurd,” Zico was quoted saying by Brazilian portal Globoesporte. “I have been involved in football for 45 years as a player and manager across several continents and I still need formal support from five national federations. They each face pressure from their own confederations and as such won’t support me,” he said. (IANS)
