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Players in action during the second semi-final match between Liangmai FC (Blue) and IGAR-North (Green) at Kohima Local Ground on September 17. The match was won by Liangma FC via tie-break.[/caption]
KOHIMA, SEPTEMBER 17: For the second consecutive year, Naga FC has entered the finals of Captain Neikezhakuo Kenguruse Football Memorial Tournament.
Playing the first semi-final on Saturday at Kohima local ground, the defending champions Naga FC cruised into the final with their victory 4-0 over Aboi FC.
The team from Mon were no match for the defending champs as the latter dominated the entire match proceedings with ease.
Aboi FC was on the back foot once Chaba gave Naga FC the first lead in the 30th minute. Few minutes later, Rhitsho Mero scored in the 35th minute to give Naga FC the double-goal cushion. Just minutes before the first half, Chaba netted his second goal to take the score to 3-0 at half time.
In the second half, the effort of Aboi FC to fight back was dampened as the defending champions, with a formidable squad of prominent soccer players, proved too strong.
By the 61st minute, the match was all over in favour of Naga FC as their right back player Velukho went on to score to make it 4-0.The second semi-final, unlike the first, witnessed a competitive match between Liangmai FC and HQ IGAR (North).
Liangmai FC emerged victorious after the match went into a tie-breaker. They outgunned the Assam Rifles’ team 5-3 in the shootout. Liangmai FC successfully converted all of their five spot kicks, while IGAR defender HL Kipgen’s shot was saved by the Liangmai FC custodian.
Earlier in the match, Liangmai FC took the lead in the 6th minute through their forward player Ch Mathiuwibou.
Liangmai FC dominated the first half with better ball possession. Several penetrations were made by their left winger Atamah, but failed to find the back of the net.
Entering the second half, IGAR (North) fought back with determination to stay in the game. IGAR almost got their equalizer through the header of TS James which came from Walte’s cross, but it narrowly missed the target.
Moving into the last quarter of the match, it looked like the solidarity goal of the Liangmai FC will ensure their entry to the final, but IGAR’s TS Haokip headed home the much needed equalizer in the 78th minute.
The final 10 minutes saw determined effort from both the teams, but all the attempts stayed away from target. Liangmai’s Atamah performed exceptionally well, but missed the target on couple of occasions.
The match headed for tie-break as both the teams were locked in 1-1 draw till the end of the stipulated time. An additional 15 minutes of extra time was also allotted after the 90 minutes play, but both the teams failed to convert any goal even during that period.
With the semi-final result, the defending champions Naga FC will play against Liangmai FC in the final on September 19 at 1.30 pm.
The closing function would be graced by Khriehu Liezietsu, Parliamentary Secretary for Youth Resources & Sports, Music Task Force, State Lotteries and chairman, DPDM, Kohima, as the chief guest. It will also be attended by Major Gen M.S. Jaswal, IGAR (North), among others.
It may be mentioned that the Captain Kenguruse Football memorial Tournament is being organized by the 9 Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ 5 Sector Assam Rifles, HQ IGAR (N) and HQ 3 Corps.
Apart from the winner’s trophy a citations and various individual prizes including Most Valuable Player, Golden Boot and Best Custodian have also been arranged by the organizers.