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Our Correspondent
Mokokchung, April 21 (EMN): Day-three of the ongoing 22nd Dr. T Ao Inter-District Football Championship 2022 witnessed Mon District Football Association vs Tuensang District Football Association in the first match, which ended in a 1-1 draw at Imkongmeren Sports Complex, Mokokchung, on Thursday.
The Tuensang team made a quick start by scoring in the 6th minute through Beshang and surprised the opponent team. Mon team fought back for the equaliser but failed to produce any key moments to find the net as defensive Tuensang held on to their lead till the first half.
However, in the second half, a blunder from goalkeeper Tiarenba gifted Mon the much needed equaliser in the 45th minute. Ating Konyak scored from a free-kick through the opponent goalkeeper’s howler.
A yellow card was cautioned to S Kamei for unsporting behaviour during the match.
Debutant Niuland District Football Association registered their first win of the tournament by winning big against Kiphire District Football Association 4-0 in the second match.
In the match, Mughapu opened the scoring in the 33rd minute, while Kitho Kiho scored two goals in the 45th and 47th minute. Devika Zhimo scored in the 64th minute to finish the game.
Mughapu was culpable for missing two golden opportunities in the first half, but did score the first goal for the team. He was substituted later on as the game improved with the introduction of midfielder Vinoka Aye into the match as they ran riot in the second half, scoring three goals to finish the game in their favour.
After losing their first match against Mon, the Niuland team fought back in their second match and registered three points. Niuland will play their last match against Tuensang knowing that a victory will help them progress into the next round.
Defending champion District Football Association Phek snatched a late draw against Chumoukedima District Football Association 1-1 in the third match.
The game witnessed tension as both teams needed a win to keep themselves alive in the tournament. Chumou lost against Wokha, while Phek lost against the Dimapur team in their first matches.
The much improved Chumoukedima team had Shurhosul Zhotso and Mathew Kezhose on strike.
The best moment for Chumoukedima came in the 25th minute, as Shurhosul Zhotso almost scored a goal when his shot was tapped-out by the Phek goalkeeper Veseto Chuzho.
The first half saw both teams falling to break the deadlock but the second half was a different story with both teams fighting for a win.
Chumou got themselves into the score sheet through Paul from a corner kick in the 42nd minute but it was not done.
Phek’s fighting spirit kept looking for the equaliser and was awarded the opportunity in injury time as Mutuzo Dzudo, the defender, found the equaliser in the dying minutes of the match.
Both teams had to be contended with a draw, sharing a point each.
But with the last league match remaining for both teams, they will need to secure a victory to progress into the next round. Chumoukedima will face Dimapur, while Phek will take on Wokha in their last match.
Dimapur District Football Association continued their winning form in their second successive game against a resilient Wokha side by 2-0. A win for Dimapur puts the team into the quarterfinal round with six points and a match remaining on hand. While Phek, Wokha, Chumoukedima will fight for the second place to get through the quarterfinal round.
Pursunep and Kakhevi Assumi scored for Dimapur in the 36th and 60th minute.
Wokha team played a defensive match, pressing high against the Dimapur team and it worked till the first half.
But Dimapur substitute Pursunep had better ideas as he scored within the introduction of the game in the second half and Kakhevi Assumi finished the game, scoring in the 60th minute and making it 2-0 for Dimapur. Yellow cards were cautioned to Sarungbemo Shitiri of Wokha, Benrithung and Hekato of Dimapur during the match.