Yupia (Arunachal Pradesh): Wangkheimayum Sadananda Singh scored a hat-trick as Manipur drubbed Assam 7-1 to storm into the semifinals of the Santosh Trophy National Football Championship here on Tuesday.

Sadananda struck thrice in 11th, 16th and 70th minutes, while skipper Phijam Sanathoi Meetei (4th), Ngangbam Pacha Singh (20th-penalty), Maibam Deny Singh (82nd) and Imarson Meitei (88th) were the other scorers for Manipur.

Joydeep Gogoi scored the only goal for Assam in the 64th minute.

Meetei opened the scoring with an assist from Sadananda outside the box to sneak the ball past Assam goalkeeper Abhinash Mech.

This was his 11th goal in this edition, making him the leading scorer in the 77th Santosh Trophy.

The early goal set the tone for Manipur's dominance, with Meetei relentless in his attacks.

Sadananda scored with a diving header in the 11th minute, capitalising on a precise pass from Ngathem Imarson Meitei from the left flank.

Manipur continued to pound their rivals, with Sadananda securing his brace after a well-coordinated set-up from Sanathoi Meetei.

Assam's fortunes were further dented in the 20th minute when Manipur was awarded a penalty after Urjoy Brahma of Assam fouled the Manipur captain, Meetei, inside the box.

Pacha Singh made no mistake from the spot kick, confidently slotting the ball into the top corner of the net to extend Manipur's lead to 4-0.

Assam scored their only goal, thanks to substitute Gogoi's brilliant finish.

Sadananda then completed his hat-trick with a header from inside the box before Manipur's left full-back Deny calmly found the back of the net off a pass from Singam Subash Singh.

Imarson completed the rout with two minutes left on the clock. 

Manipur had topped Group B, while Assam finished fourth in Group A.

Manipur will meet Goa in the second semifinal on Thursday (7 pm). Manipur emerged champions in 2002-03, while the Goans have won the title five times. Both sides have yet to taste defeat in this edition.

(With inputs from PTI)

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