The Football Players Association of India (FPAI) All-Star team led by legendary ex-India skipper Baichung Bhutia have won their exhibition match against the MDS Charger XI.
A total of approximately 22,000 spectators gathered at Imphal’s Khuman Lampak Main Stadium to witness the exhibition match between the two sides full of current and ex-Indian internationals.
The FPAI XI had players like Baichung Bhutia, Subrata Pal, Sunil Chhetri, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Climax Lawrence in their ranks, while the MDS Charger XI banked on the talent of skipper Renedy Singh, Gouramangi Moirangthem Singh, Sushil Kumar Singh and many other top players.
Baichung’s FPAI XI won the match courtesy to a lone goal scored by Nadong Bhutia in front of an impressive crowd, which created a wonderful atmosphere including the “Mexican Waves”.
The match organised by Football Edge was the finale of the two-month long Manipur Football Development Programme under two foreign coaches, which had been organised and funded by the Manipur Development Society (MDS). The exhibition match had the purpose to raise funds for youth football in the state and bring the best football players in the country to play in the state that produces the most players for the I-League and the Indian national team.