Staff Reporter
Dimapur, November 26
In a battle of equals, Dimapur beat Peren 2-1 in the last league match of the ongoing 19th Dr. T. Ao Inter-District Football Championship being played at DDSC Dimapur. With direct entry into the quarterfinals, both teams played their best to retain the top spot in their group. However, at the end of the day, Dimapur team had the last laugh. The match, being one of the most awaited, a decent crowd turned up to witness it. The fans were not disappointed as Peren, who were behind in scoreline the whole match, made every effort till the final whistle.
Kicking off the match, Dimapur boys made a very quick start and scored in the very first opportunity to take an early lead in the 3rd minute. It was fiery Benjamin (16) who, with a long ranger, smacked the ball past an unsuspecting Peren custodian K. Asuang to take the score to 1-0.
Peren almost found the equalizer in the 10th minute but skipper Keneisedelie’s shot was saved by a flying James Kithan (1). Dimapur being the more attacking team found the net for the second time in the 24th minute when Nungsang (11) struck the ball past K. Asuang with a right footer from the penalty box.
Having failed to create any clear chance, Peren made an early substitution and brought in Linlis (12). After many failed attempts, Peren finally cut the goal deficit by one when striker Ratobe (10) scored from the penalty box in the 36th minute.
Into the second half, a much better organized and determined Peren took control of the match from the very first minute and made the first attempt quickly but Kuhiem’s (17) shot failed to find target and went wide. In the very next minute, Lemrai (9) almost found the equalizer single handedly but his shot too went wide.
Dimapur, who was high on confidence in the first half, were forced into a defensive mode by Peren with their repeated attempts. Dimapur’s first opportunity to extend their lead came in the form of a free kick after rival custodian K. Asuang collected the ball outside the penalty box. However, the free kick taken by Noken (8) went wide.
Peren’s Keneisedelie (8) almost converted a beautiful cross from Ratobe (10) to level the score but for Dimapur custodian James Kithan who saved his shot acrobatically by diving full length to his right. In total control of the ball, Ratobe of Peren made another opening for himself but failed to get past the ever alert Dimapur keeper James Kithan.
Tired of being toyed by their opponent, Dimapur finally woke up in the closing stages of the match to make a couple of beautiful attempts. However, the closest came when Nungsang’s (11) shot, which was also final attempt from Dimapur to extend the score, was saved by K. Asuang with a little help from the crossbar.
In the dying minute, Peren desperately tried to find the missing goal but all their attempts proved unsuccessful leaving them to take on the sturdy Phek team in the quarterfinals. Dimapur will face Mokokchung for a place in the semifinals.
Earlier in the day, playing a one-sided match, Wokha humiliated Kiphire 9 -1. Nyanthung and Chenithung scored hat-tricks for Wokha. In the other league matches, Mokokchung beat Mon 1-0 while Kohima defeated Longleng 2-1 to enter quarters.
