Correspondent
Kohima, October 10
Head Quarter Inspector General of Assam Rifles (North) and Koubru Sporting Club, Manipur today became the last two teams to enter the quarter finals of the ongoing NSF martyrs’ Memorial Trophy organized by Angami Students’ Union (ASU) under the theme Goal for Peace at Kohima Local Ground.Playing the seventh match of the round of 16, Kuki Students’ Union Kohima despite having scored one of the fastest goals of the tourney had to concede to the three goals of the Assam Rifles. KSC opened the account within the 39 seconds of the match commencement through Janghao Chongloi to be the second fastest goal scorer. The record fastest goal was scored by Kuki SU player Minthang against Asian Mission College in the preliminary round.
In the 9th minute IGAR(N) got the opportunity for an equalizer as a foul inside the D’box by rival defenders was awarded penalty. However, Rosangliana’s shot was neatly blocked by custodian Boipu. In the 28th minute, IGAR forward Demo moving ahead with the ball tried beat Boipu but to no avail. However, the very next minute Demo’s flintier off AI Singh’s long centre cross directly pierced into the nets for the equalizer, after which the first half ended in 1-1 draw.
In the breather half, Boipu fumbled with the ball while saving a direct free kick from Hmanainkima, which was pushed into the nets for a goal and the IGAR players roared in celebration. However, the referee declared foul.
IGAR continued possessing the ball and made continued attacks on the rival camp, which resulted in scoring the lead through AI Singh in the 44th minute.
Knocking down Demo inside the danger zone during the 49th minute, IGAR got second penalty spot kick, but this time too Boipu managed to push away Demo’s shot. The 60th minute witnessed Demo being penalized with a yellow card.
Interesting in the four minutes injury added time, Momoi Nguilet was send off the field with a red card for an intentional handball on the goal line. The subsequent third penalty spot kick was converted by K. Surjit Singh to win the match by 3-1.
The last pre-quarters was closely contested between the equally competent teams between Koubru SC Manipur and Viper FC Nerhema, wherein the visitors won by 2-1 via tie-breaker as the teams were locked in a goalless draw during the 70 minutes play.
During the game though no goals were scored two KSC players Johnson Singh and Angthot Lamkang were penalized with yellow cards in the 31st and 51st minute.
Interestingly, KSC custodian Chandra Kumar Singh saved two shots of Viper FC in the penalty shoot-out while two went off target and only one was successful out of the five shots. On the other hand, KSC managed only two out of the four shots to win the match.
Meanwhile, State Project Officer, Nagaland State Disaster Management Authoruty, Home Department, Johnny Ruangmei will grace the first quarter-final match on Friday as the patron.
