Our Correspondent
Kohima, August 11 (EMN): Nagabazar FC narrowly defeated Power Comm. FC by a solitary goal at the ongoing Kohima Football League (KFL) 2017, organised by Kohima Town Club, at Kohima local ground on Friday.
Luck did favor Nagabazar FC as they managed to score a solitary goal via a free kick through Ketholetuo Dzeyie in the 72nd minute to get the three points in the first match and marke their entry into the league.
Defending Champion of Morning Premier League, Power Comm was a better team and created numerous chances but failed to find the back of the net throughout the match.
Power Comm’s skipper Mele Pucho who was the highest scorer of MPL got the opportunity to break the deadlock in the 8th minute but the rival keeper managed to deflect the ball out of the area. The best chance came for Power Comm in the first period when Vekhruto Resu came one on one with the keeper but hit the post.
Nagabazar FC played a defensive game in the first half but with the introduction of the second half, they started their counter attacks and did manage to get a goal through Ketholetuo. The team should have taken the lead a minute earlier when Ketholetuo got the opportunity to convert the goal from a long range pass but hit the woodwork.
Power Comm had no luck as Velukho Rhakho hit the woodwork in the dying minutes through a free kick but unable to equalise the score, Nagabazar got their three points at the end of the final whistle.
Menuoletuo Keyho, team coach of Nagabazar said they started the counter attack only in the second half because, in the first half, he wanted his players to get adapted with the team combination and the ground.
He also said their star player was missing in the first match and would be expecting better results in the next matches.
“We played well but lacked practice,” said Keyigumgwangbe, team coach of Power Comm and hoped that in the next matches, the team will be more organised.
Khriesazo Liezietsu, producer of Pro Audio Hub was the match patron for the third match.
New Market FC to clash with Ziekezou SC on Saturday
The most awaited match in the league between New Market FC and Ziekezou SC will be played on Saturday evening. During the press briefing, New Market FC Team official said that one of the oldest team and local favorites New Market FC are expecting about 60-70 percent fans to turn up for their first match against Ziekezou SC which is another oldest participating team.
New Market FC’s representatives told that introducing the Kohima Football League is a good platform for promoting the players. “We feel its high time that the Naga players have to excel in football and take part in Indian Soccer League and other high levels of tournaments,” said the representative. They also lauded the organisers for organising such kind of tournament and expect more in the days to come.
New Market FC Skipper Stephen Rutsa said, “Football is lacking in Nagaland and Kohima Football League should benefit the players and we should level up with the players of other states." He said their players are working really hard and expecting for a good game.
Ziekezou SC Team officials said they are excited and happy to be part of the tournament and have high hopes and expectations for the match. Stating that New Market FC is a reputed team, Ziekezou SC Captain Kevizapu Lhoungu said “we are facing a tough team but we are expecting good results because our team have been practicing and preparing for one month, we are ready and confident. Though we are mentally and physically ready, it's entirely in the hands of God."
Ziekezou FC team are also equally expecting about 65-70 percent of their fans to turn up. Key player to watch out for is Kekhrie Tsira.
