Bordoloi Trophy: Nagaland Police hold CISF in a 4-goal thriller

Dimapur, March 26 (EMN): Nagaland Police held Central Industrial Security Forces (CISF) to a 2-2 thrilling draw in their first match of the 68th edition of Bharat Ratna Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Trophy football tournament on matchday-3 at Ghilakuri in Sipajhar, Assam on Saturday.

In the match, Bhola (7′) opened the scoring  but Nagaland fought back and their striker, Khwetelhi Thopi scored the equaliser in the 24th minute, an update informed.

CISF went ahead again in the second half through Md Khaleed (57′). However, Limakumzuk Ao had better ideas as he found the equaliser through a penalty in the 68th minute for Nagaland Police.

Despite a red card for Nagaland defender in the last quarter of the match, Nagaland team managed to keep the match in stalemate till the end of the final whistle.

Nagaland Police are clubbed in Group C with CISF, former champ Oil India FC and Bodousa SC. The winner of each group will qualify for the semi-final round in the tournament. 

Nagaland still has two more matches to play in the group matches to qualify for the semi-final round. In the second match, the team will play against Oil India FC on Sunday, 3 pm and the last group match on March 29 against Bodousa Sports Club.

It may be mentioned that Bordoloi Trophy is one of the oldest and most popular football championships in Northeast India. The trophy is an annual Indian football tournament organised by Guwahati Sports Association (GSA).

The winners will receive INR 2 lakh, while the runner-up will receive INR 1 lakh.