Captain Kenguruse Memorial Football tourney underway

Defending champions Vanguard FC rout Nine Zone Peren FC 5-0

Kohima, Sep. 10 (EMN): Defending champions Vanguard FC kicked started the campaign with a 5-0 win over Nine Zone Peren in the first match of the fourth edition of Capt Kengruse memorial state level football tournament at the Kohima local ground on Monday.

The tournament is organised by the Assam Rifles to honour late soldier Captain Neikezhakuo Kengruse, Maha Vir Chakra who sacrificed his life for the country during the Kargil war in 1999.

Playing the 80 minute match, skipper Yhanshalo Kemp scored twice while a goal each from Rhitsho Mero, Vekhruto Resu and Nyithong Magh helped the team to run riot against Nine Zone.

After Rhitsho Mero opened the scoring in the 6th minute, captain Yhanshalo Kemp scored to give Vanguard FC 2-0 lead through an assist from Nyithong Magh in the 21st minute.

Yhanshalo Kemp scored again five minutes later assisted by Sinlo Kent to take the deserving lead. Vanguard hit the cross bar twice in the first half and should have scored more but rued their lack of finishing from their striker.

Best chance for Peren came through Kenumdi in the 35th minute when his teammate’s cross found him inside the area but he shot the ball wide off the target.

In the second half, Vanguard scored again through a screamer from Vekhruto Resu in the 46th minute. The captain then created the fifth goal for Nyithong Magh to score a long range kick in the 58th minute.

Peren team on the other side failed to create any chances in the second half and could not attempt any goal on the target as Vanguard got their clean sheet to end the match 5-0.

The 13 day long football tournament is played on a knockout basis. 24 teams from various districts are participating in the tournament after winning their qualifier round played in each district. Two teams from the entire district along with defending champions Vanguard FC and including three teams from security forces i.e. Headquarter Inspector General Assam Rifles, Director General Police XI and 164 Territorial Army (Head Hunter Naga) are taking part. The tournament will conclude on September 22.

Until the pre-quarterfinals rounds, there will be two grounds where four matches will be played, two in Kohima local ground and two in Tsiese basa local ground.

The winner of the tournament will walk home with a cash prize of INR 1. 75 lakhs while the runners-up will receive INR 80000. The two semi-finalists will also receive INR 25,000 each. The individual awards include most valuable player, golden boot and golden gloves.

Major General PC Nair, Yudh Deva Medal, IGAR (N) attended the event as the special guest while father of Late Captain Neikezhakuo Kenguruse Neiselie Kenguruse also spoke during the occasion.

Fixture for Tuesday

Ground-1 (Kohima local ground)

Fountain Lad FC vs United FC at 1 pm

Khriekesa FC Meriema vs One-Ten FC at 3pm

Ground-2 (Tsiese basa)

Tizit Tornado vs Naga Terriers at 1pm

Victorious FC vs Zunheboto Range Students Union FC at 3pm