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A match in progress at the DGP Ground, Police Complex, Chumukedima on Saturday[/caption]
Dimapur, Sep. 16 (EMN): The 2nd Edition of the Case Premier League got underway on Saturday with Parliamentary Secretary Tovihoto Ayemi kicking off the tournament at the DGP Ground in Police Complex, Chumukedima.
Speaking on the occasion, Ayemi appreciated the efforts of the league organisers stating that it was a good platform to come together, interact, keep oneself fit and also to bring unity.
“We should encourage our people to stay fit,” he said and urged the organisers to continue holding the league and bring more people together.
In the first match, defending champions Trinity Sporting were held to a goalless draw by Case FC. It was misfortune for Case FC as the highest scorer from last edition, Dr. Lipok suffered a fracture on the sheen after colliding with the goalkeeper of Trinity FC early on in the game.
The match was largely pedestrian with the hot afternoon sun sapping the energy of most of the players and both teams were content to play out a drab draw.
The second match was an exciting affair as A1 Powerplay and STAFAC United Patkai played out a 3-3 draw.
Powerplay took the lead in the 5th minute after Akika cut in from the left and found Nito around the 6 yard box who eased the ball past the STAFAC goalkeeper.
Minutes later, Akika could have doubled the lead after he was put clean through. However, his effort on goal was denied by the woodwork.
Akika was instrumental for Powerplay as he used his pace and guile to trouble the STAFAC defence. In the second half, he cut in from out wide, but this time from the right, and found Yannath for a simple tap in. Powerplay looked comfortable after going 2-0 up but STAFAC pulled one back with Keneivikho Khro heading in from a corner.
Minutes later STAFAC pulled even with Chui beating the offside trap and shooting from outside the 18-yard box – the goalkeeper was unmoved as the ball zoomed into the back of the net.
STAFAC then took the lead after the Powerplay custodian made a clearance which left him out of position and unfortunately, found Chui who looped it past the keeper and into the net from distance.
However, Powerplay continued to press and their persistence paid off in the dying minutes when Bokito made a run from deep and found Temsu with a defence splitting pass – the latter slotting the ball calmly past the goalkeeper as the match ended 3-3. Nizams FC Dimapur were the only team to register a win on the day as they beat G. Sporting Club in a feisty third match.
G. Sporting Club largely controlled the match in the first half but some resolute defending from Nizams saw all threats being neutralized. Towards the end of the half, Bito made it 1-0 for Nizams – a touch fortunate as his shot went in through the goalkeeper’s legs.
Substitute Sopei then made it 2-0 in the second half as the Nizams started to assert more control on the game. The match saw some feisty tackles late in the match as players from both teams clashed and engaged in heated arguments but Nizams held on for three points.