Our Correspondent
Kohima, September 1
Upcoming sporting club in the state, Kohima Komets today lifted their first soccer champion’s title by winning the prestigious 19th Classic Cup organized by Classic Club, Kohima at Local Ground.Playing the final match in rain-soaked ground, Kohima Komets created a history by thrashing Elite Football Club, Naga Bazaar by a huge 8 goals to nil, which has not happened in any of the soccer tourney played here in the recent known past.
The first quarter of the match seemed both sides equally competent to hold back their rivals from striking the goal even as Kohima Komets dominating the play made consistent efforts from the 16thminute through captain Tingnyek Konyak, which was neatly saved by custodian Asuang.
They continued attacking through Kezhose and Khwetelhi Thopi in the next two minutes but rival custodian managed to thwart them for three times in the 17th, 18th and 20th minute.
Nonetheless, the first corner kick in the 22nd minute resulted in opening the flood gates by Daviekho Mazamo off Khwetelhi Thopi corner kick.
The next two minute witnessed Elite FC making their first attempt through a direct free kick taken by Andrew but ball went slightly over the bar.
Despite finding the free nets with rival custodian Asuang down on the ground, Thopi failed to score in the 25th minute as his shot went wide over the bar. But it was skipper Tingnyek making a long range target shot to double the score in the 35th minute while his shot in the 40th minute slide over the bar.
In the 42nd minute, Elite striker Kuhian making a solo effort from the left flank struck the ball from inside the box, but could not find the target while two minutes later Kezhose scored the third lead for Komets making a solo effort. He was then penalized with a yellow card for unsporting behavior in the 45th minute.
After the lemon break, Yhunshalo Kemp of Kohima Komets made a brilliant header to score the fourth goal of the final match, which also made him the highest scorer of the tourney beating Rhitso Mero of New Market (15 goals). Three minutes later Kemp tried again off a corner but rival defender managed to clear the ball.
The fifth goal came in the 59th minute through Lalnghinglova powerful grounder from the D’box which was followed by substitute player Bamdi bullet shot piercing into the nets for the sixth goal in the 64th minute.
The 70th minute could have given the much needed face saver for Elite FC, but Graceson failed to materialize a nice pass from Kuhian.
Subsequently, it was Kempt finding his second goal of the match and seventh for the team and personally 17th in the 71st minute while coming from the substitute bench Manikanta sealed the score board with the eighth goal in the dying minutes.
Clinching the final match with goal galore, champions Kohima Komets SC walked dribbled away with cash award of Rs. 1 lakh, running trophy and citations.
Unable to open their account, runners-up Elite FC had to be contended with cash prize of Rs. 50,000 with trophy and citation.
Witnessing the final match as the chief guest, Minister for Youth Resources and Sports Merentoshi R. Jamir gave away the awards.
[tabs type="horizontal"][tabs_head][tab_title]INDIVIDUAL AWARDS [/tab_title][/tabs_head][tab]Best Goal Keeper – Peisuidibe Solo of Kohima Komets Best Defence – Andrew of Elite FC Best midfield – Tingnyek Konyak of Kohima Komets Highest Scorer – Yhumshalo Kemp of Kohima Komets (17 goals) Player of the Tournament – Haotingmang Victor Thomson of New Market XI Player of the tournament carried Rs. 5000 with citation and the other individual awards carried cash Rs. 3000 with citation. [/tab][/tabs]
