Arkong, Artang, Penli and Mongsenbai enter semis

Our Correspondent
Mokokchung, March 17 (EMN): Arkong ward edged over Tongdentsuyong in a tie-breaker to reach the semifinal at the ongoing Mokokchung inter-ward football tournament at Imkongmeren Sports Complex in Mokokchung on March 14.

They will meet Artang ward, who claimed a 2-1 victory against Alempang ward in the last quarter-final match.

Both goalkeepers of Arkong and Tongdentsuyong were pressured as neither side was able to assert their dominance and the match ended in a goalless draw. The road to the semi-final spot was to be decided via tie-breaker.

The shootout initially looked to be headed to an equal result as both secured 5-5.  However, in the sudden death round Arkong scored and  Tongdentsuyong’s shooter  hit the goal post, which ultimately resulted in Arkong to berth to the semis.

In the second match, Artang flexed their muscles to overcome the formidable Alempang 2-1 triumph.

Artang struck early in the 8th minute through Supongmeren but Alempang leveled the score in the 26th minute through Lipoktoshi.

Entering the second half, Artang had over 60 per cent possession and had more shots on target.
Thereafter, in the last minute Temshi Imchen struck the decisive winning goal for Artang in the 49th minute. The Alempang side tried to pin their opponents with a high pressing game in the last minute but Artang overcame the counter attack and clinched their semi spot.

Last Tuesday, the dark horse of the tourney Mongsenbai humiliated Sungkomen 6-1 to reach the semis while Penli had a decisive win of 2-0 against Majakong in the quarter matches.