Manipur hold Goa goalless

Manipur held last year's runners-up Goa to a goalless draw in the Group II league encounter in the under-21 National Football Championship, for the M Dutta Ray trophy, in Mandya, Karnataka, on Wednesday.

Manipur played an aggressive game from the beginning, but they wasted at least three sitters. Mid-fielders Jotin Singh and Kamdouhao Hangsing played superbly but were just unable to score. Their custodian Tomchou Singh too was superb under the bar and thwarted many attempts by Goans.

After playing a defensive game in the first session, Goa changed strategy and launched attacks after the breather. But they could not beat the safe pair of hands of Tomchou Singh. Captain Alex Ambrose came up with two good efforts in the second session but they were brought to nought by the custodian.

Both teams collected a point each.

IFA, West Bengal, will take on Jammu and Kashmir while Andhra Pradesh will lock horns with WIFA, Maharashtra, in Group I league matches on Thursday.