Duliajan: North Imphal Sporting Association (NISA) defeated Arhima Club of Meghalaya 2-1 in the extra-time to emerge champions in Group D (North-East Zone) knock-out phase and make it to the next round of Federation Cup football qualifiers here.
Arhima defenders gave NISA a tough fight in the first half till in the 44th minute when Mani Mohan Singh scored to give the lead for the Imphal club.
Down 0-1, the Meghalaya side tried their best to bring the match on an even keel and their efforts bore fruit when Stevenfield Lenong scored the equaliser in the 77th minute.
The 1-1 stalemate prevailed in the full time and it was in the eighth minute of the extra time that NISA converted a penalty to settle the issue.
Thomas Singh converted the penalty after an Arhima defender handled the ball.
The Imphal men are the reigning CC Meet and Manipur State League champions.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, November 21, 2009, 23:20