Our Correspondent
Kohima, September 4
After almost three weeks of football fiesta, tomorrow is finally the clash of the titan of this year’s edition of the Classic Cup organized by Classic Club Kohima under the theme ‘Together we can soar’ at Kohima Local Ground at 3:00 pm. Kohima Komets Sporting Club and Elite Football Club, Naga Bazaar would clashing for the title, which would be witnessed by Minister for Youth Resources and Sports Merentoshi R. Jamir as the chief guest of the valedictory function. Both the teams are debutants in the final match of the Classic Cup.
On one hand it is the young and upcoming sporting club of the state – Kohima Komets with players undergoing regular coaching and play football atleast some hours every day.
In the run of the finals, Kohima Komets started the tourney with a big bang by scoring 8 goals against Ailiung FC in the inaugural match. They succeeded Paopong Club also by 8-0 in the second round, Vision FC by 2-0 in the pre-quarters. In the quarter-final they defeated Prege FC by 4-2 while in they played the most crucial game with highest spectator turnout against New Market-XI and defeated them by 5-4 via tie breaker as the teams were locked in 1-1 draw during the 105 (90+15) minutes game.
Players to be watched are forward Yhunshalu Kemp (9) with a total of 15 goals supported by 4 hat-tricks and sharing the highest goals of the tourney with Rhitso Mero of New Market.
A goal in the finals will fetch him the award. Kivi Zhimomi (7) a swift player can neatly dribble the ball through the rival players and make sudden attack while his free kicks are dangerous. Nonetheless, his disadvantage is to be booked with two yellow cards in earlier march. Skipper Tingnyek (15) is also always helpful to forward and defenders. The defence line-up is also strong enough but at teams apparently lets easy passage due to wrong calls but custodian Peisuidibe (1) is alert to thwart the moves of the rival players.
On the hand, Elite FC Naga Bazaar is a team formed with collections of players from different areas, some even beyond the state.
In their run-up to the finals, Elite FC defeated Young Boys FC Jotsoma by 5-1 in the first round and stunned the spectators to become the giant-slayers of the tourney defeating former champions Nagaland Police by 1-0 in the second round.
Playing the quarters, they triumphed over Billy Graham FC by 2-1 while the crucial semi-final they triumphed over another security forces team Head Hunters by 2-0.
They have lanky striker Graceson (7) swift and with capabilities to surpass through rivals defence and find the nets, supported by Kuhian (10) and Luwang (9). Their defence line is absolutely strong with line-up of Kelungthin (2), Alemmantsung (15), Andrew (5) and Pouding (3).
CHALLENGERS CUP
Kohima Press Club blank Classic Club
Our Correspondent
Kohima, September 4
The Kohima Press Club (KPC) today created a history by winning the Challengers Cup successive three times in a raw from 2011 to 2013. Playing the annual Challengers Cup as part of the ongoing Classic Cup soccer tourney at Kohima Local Ground here this afternoon, KPC defeated Classic Club Kohima (CCK) by 2-0 goals to nil. Victory Dzüvichü scored the first goal in the first half and while captain skipper Ketou Viluo doubled the margin the second half to beat the Classic Club. The champions received cash award of R. 10,000 along with running trophy while individual awardees received cash prize, which were handed over by Parliamentary Secretary for Land Resources, Justice & Law, Labour and Employment Dr. Neikesalie Nicky Kire.
