Gothia Cup: SC Nagaland team settle for a draw in last group match

Our Correspondent

Kohima, July 17 (EMN): Sports Club (SC) Nagaland team on Wednesday registered a 2-2 draw with Ahus IF in their last group match at Gothia Cup 2019, at Gottenburg in Sweden.

It was Abeno Humtsoe and Imlimerenla who scored a goal each for SC Nagaland in the 46th and 50th minute respectively.

Meanwhile, in round of 32, SC Nagaland will be playing against Halvikens SK 1 on July 18.

Earlier, Nagaland team lost to Sweden team, Västerås BK30 0-3 on July 15. On Tuesday Nagaland lost 0-14 to IF Brommapojkarna.

Advisor of Youth Resources and Sports Zale Neikha, who is with the team had sent a message on Wednesday stating that “our girls in SC Nagaland are displaying a great performance in spite of their loses.”

“What we need to keep in mind is that these girls have never played in a league before and not to mention the teams they are matched against are teams that are ranked in the world top 10,” he added.

He felt that that the team are out-performed when it comes to stamina and speed. He found out that the team needs to work on real time experience which can only be achieved with greater participation in leagues and longer professional training.

Despite limited experience some of the girls were spotted for future endeavors viz, Imlimerenla, Neke Konyak and Medokhono. “This is just a start and with the right guidance our Naga players be it boys or girls can have a bright future in sports,” Neikha added.

The team may have lost two matches but they have definitely won the hearts of the public with their determination, skill, and humble background, he said.

On visiting a few clubs in Sweden, the advisor said that the level of football in Sweden is undoubtedly in the top. Through this experience, he found out that community support is the need of the hour in Nagaland.

In Sweden community at large, they share the same passion of promoting football which is a reflective of collective mindset of football as being more than just a game, he said.