Team Nagaland.
- DIMAPUR — First-time participants Nagaland
have advanced to the quarterfinals of the Swami Vivekananda U-20 Men’s National
Football Championship after securing a crucial 2-2 draw against Haryana at
Narainpur, Chattisgarh.
- According to an update, despite missing four key players due
to suspension, Nagaland displayed resilience and determination throughout the
match. They took an early lead in the 14th minute through K Arap Konyak, only
for Haryana to equalise in the 30th minute through their captain, Yaman
Sheoran.
- With the half-time score at 1-1, the entire second half was
fiercely contested by both teams, with Nagaland needing only a draw to advance,
while Haryana required all three points to qualify for the knockout stage.
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- It was at the beginning of the 87th minute that Nagaland
finally got the breakthrough to break the deadlock, once again scored by K Arap
Konyak, to take the lead.
- However, the Haryana team struck the back of the net
once again through the boots of their captain, Yaman, in the first minute of
the six minutes of added time.
- The Nagaland team held on to the draw until the final
whistle and advanced to the quarterfinals of the tournament, which will be
played on April 25 at the same venue.
