NSF Trophy 2023: Showdown between Red Scars FC, Liangmai FC set to begin

KOHIMA — As the month-long NSF Martyrs’ Memorial Trophy is coming to a close, anticipation is high among football lovers for the final showdown between Liangmai FC and Red Scars FC at Indira Gandhi Stadium (IGS), Kohima, on Saturday evening.

Organised by Angami Students’ Union (ASU), the tournament that kicked off on September 18 with as many as 34 teams vying for the championship title, has been impressive so far, with 148 goals being scored in just 32 matches, while 13 players scored hat-tricks, and 22 yellow and two red cards being awarded.

Yhoto Lohe of A Yhome FC, who netted nine goals, is currently the leading goal scorer of the tournament, closely followed by P Soromi of Asüfü Football Academy and Yhunshalo Kemp of Red Scars FC with seven goals each, while Kawijibo of Liangmai FC and Thejasetuo Gwiries of New Market FC have six goals each under their belt.

In regard to the much-anticipation finale, football fans are expecting a thrilling match.

Liangmai FC embarked on their campaign in the tournament with a resounding victory 2-0 win against Knight Sporting Club Chozuba in the first match, before overwhelming Tiema Khe Kedima with a staggering 7-0 scoreline in their second match to find a spot in the quarter-finals.

They went on to end the journey of End of an Era with an impressive 6-2 victory, before beating defending champions New Market FC 1-0 in a closely contested match to find a place in the final.

On the other hand, Red Scars FC started their campaign in the event with a convincing 6-0 triumph over All Nagaland Two Wheelers Taxi Association, before outplaying Viswemi FC 2-0 in the second match and defeating Football for Change Academy (F4C) 2-0 in the quarter-finals.

The team defeated United FC Piphema 3-1 in the semi-final, keeping their campaign to win the championship title alive.

It may be mentioned that President of the Nagaland Football Association (NFA) K Neibou Sekhose, who is also an executive member of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), will attend the closing ceremony of the NSF Martyrs’ Memorial Trophy, which is scheduled to start at 4:30 pm on Saturday.

Also read: NSF Trophy: Liangmai FC beats New Market FC 1-0, enters final