Correspondent
Kohima, October 17
Nagaland Police today lived upto the reputation of being the former champions for three times and enter the final of the students’ memorial soccer tourney organized by Angami Students’ Union under the theme ‘Goal for Peace’ at Kohima Local Ground.Playing one of the toughest and physically fought match of the tourney, Nagaland Police defeated Headquarters Inspector General of Assam Rifles-North (HQ IGAR-N) by 3-0 via tie breaker as the teams were locked in goalless draw during the 105 minutes, including 90 minutes stipulated time and 15 minutes extra time governed by silver goal rule.
During the stipulated time, though both sides failed to materialize any goals it recorded the highest number of yellow cards being penalized in a single match. Match referee was compelled to penalize a total of eight players, four on each side.
The Assam Rifles started the attack within the 6th minute Demo making an excellent pass towards Hmangaih Kima, who despite having an open net shot the ball wide off target. Two minutes later, it was cops forward Saku (15) making a power attempt from the edge of the D’box but custodian Bechung Bhutia flew in the air to fist it for a corner. In the 12th minute, E. Zofa’s shot off AI Singh pass went off play barely fell short the target for Assam Rifles, while Ninja Kabui (11) flick from inside the six yard area off Vizorü (10) corner was neatly caught by Bhutia in the 17th minute.
The 19th minute brought commenced the rain of yellow card with jawan AI Singh being penalized first, while the resultant free kick from Ninja was pushed away by Bhutia. Three minutes later Bhutia was penalized with yellow card for knocking down cop mid-fielder Tiasunep (8) inside the D’box. The referee also awarded penalty spot kick in favour of the cops and it was taken by striker Saku, but his shot disappointingly landed in the safe hands of custodian Bhutia.
In the counter attack, AR almost found the lead but VL Hmangaih Kima’s left footer on the right post slightly missed target. The first half ended in a disappointing goalless draw with third yellow card and first for cops shown against scoring maniac Limakumzuk (12).
The breather half too started with penalization of cops skipper Beilie Rio for unsporting behavior in the 50th minute while even minutes later sturdy AR custodian Bhutia once again made an excellent dive to thwart Limakumzuk’s target flintier. However, a minute later AR mid-fielder Rosangliana was shown the fifth yellow card.
In the 63rd minute Rosangliana’s direct free kick headed directly into the six yard of rival camp, but defender Gobin Singh’s header bounced out of play. Referee showed the sixth and seventh card against Ninja and Saku of cops in the 65th and 67th minute while the stipulated game ended with the eighth card shown against Hmangaihkima.
In The 15 minutes extra time didn’t witness much action except for Limakumzuk’s shot missing target in the 93rd minute while rest 12 minutes ended without any decisive moves locked in goalless draw. The tie-breaker also commenced excitingly with AR custodian Bhutia blocking the first cops shot taken by Lamdong while E. Zofa’s shot for AR went wide over the cross bar. However, commencing from the second shot taken by Wapang, Beilie Rio and Alfred for the cops pierced into the nets while AR players Rosangliana’s shot went out and Hmangaihkiba’s shot was neatly blocked by cop’s custodian Vizovor to the win match by 3-0.
Having shown an excellent skill of goal-keeping, custodian Bechung Bhutia of HQ-IGAR(N) was declared the player of the match while the team also received semi-final allowance of 15,000 from match patron and DGP (retd) K. Kire.
In the final match to be played on September 19 at 1:30 pm, former champions Nagaland Police will lock horns with debutants Naga United. MLA and Advisor New & Renewable Energy and Music Task Force Khriehu Liezietsu will grace the grand-finale as the guest of honour.
