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Players of Chedema Village Youth Organisation celebrate after scoring the third goal against Kuluopfu FC Pochury during the second semi-final of the ongoing Classic Cup at the Kohima local ground on Sat. Nov. 17. (EM Images)[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Kohima, Nov. 17 (EMN): Chedema Village Youth Organisation’s striker Imlongchaba scored a hat-trick as the team defeated Kuluopfu FC Pochury 5-1 during the second semi-final match of the ongoing Classic Cup here at Kohima local ground on Sat. Nov. 17.
With the win, Chedema team will take on Head Hunters Jakhama on Nov. 19 in the final showdown of the tournament.
At the starting of the match, both team misfired as they failed to find the back of the net despite the opportunity created. Salu Kulim of Chedema Salu Kulim had a day to forget as he missed a sitter from open space to slot home the lead. Pochury captain Dominic Ngouri also came one on one with the keeper but shot the ball directly to the keeper to keep the match in stalemate till the 26th minute.
But Chedema forward Imlongchaba had other ideas as he opened the scoring in the 26th minute, a through ball from his team found him inside the area as he fired the lead with a neat finishing; he scored again through a brilliant header in the 36th minute from Punürü Nienu passing.
The first half ended 2-0 in favour of Chedima team
In the second half, Pochury team seemed out of stamina as they failed to build up any momentum, while Chedema team continued to fire with the goals coming from Punürü and Shurhosul Zhotso.
In the 55th minute, Chaba unselfishly set up Punürü Nienu to find the net and in-form Punuru set up Shurhosul to find the net four minutes later following a poor clearance from the opponent defense.
Kuluopfu FC Pochury scored a consolation goal throug Sienguji in the 63rd minute from a corner kick. But Chaba finished the game with his hat-trick from a defensive error in the 66th minute.
Chedema team should have won by bigger margin but their forward Punürü, Shurhosul and Chaba lacked the finishing as they missed numerous chances in the second half.
Challenger Cup: KPC to take on Classic Club today
The 11th edition of the Challenger Cup, an annual football exhibition match played between the Kohima Press Club (KPC) and Classic Club Kohima (CCK) will be played on Nov. 18 at the Khuochiezie Ground in Kohima at 2 pm.
The annual football friendly, played as part of the Classic Cup, is aimed at strengthening the friendship and camaraderie amongst the members of the two clubs.
For the record, the Classic Club lifted the title seven times (2006, 2007, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017), while KPC won three times (2009, 2012 and 2013).
The KPC executive council has requested all the members of the press club to participate in the event. Family, friends and well wishers of KPC members have also been invited to come and witness the match.