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Our Correspondent
Mokokchung, Oct. 26 (EMN): A top notch free kick from forward Bapin Yemjon gave Telongjem a 2-1 win over Moanungsang Memorial Sporting Club (MMSC) in the Mokokchung District Football Trophy final to claim the major title for the second consecutive time at Imkongmeren Sports Complex, Mokokchung on Wednesday.
Bapin’s 74th minute set piece was enough to upset the stubborn MMSC who were determined to go the extra mile with 1-1, just a few minutes away to 90 minutes.
MMSC was going to suffer a blow in the starting minutes when goalkeeper Imsutoshi unintentionally landed outside the D-box and caught the ball; luckily the referee awarded only a yellow. A free kick was given but Telongjem failed to capitalise.
Notable midfielder Pursunep opened the scoring for Telongjem in the 18 minute of the game with a professional finish, moments after Yhunshalo Kemp missed a golden chance inside the danger zone. Pursunep dodged the defense via a wall pass assisted by Kemp to end the first half 1-0.
However, that was cancelled out by Jongshiwati, who fired in an equaliser from long range right after the break minutes and pushed back the opponent’s counter with more zeal.
But the moment was short lived, as Inovi Chisi was caught by the referee with a hand ball. Telongjem gifted Bapen to take the free kick; he completed the task with a masterstroke which could not be denied by the opponent’s goalkeeper.
Earlier, Advisor Technical Education and Election Medo Yhoka was the chief match patron in the final match. In his speech, he said in the field of games and sports, Nagas are second to none but lamented that ‘we do not shine and perform at the national and international level’.
He also admitted that the state lacks infrastructures and facilities in sport fields but observed that “the reason behind why we fail to shine is because we always fail to upscale and upgrade our talents and resources and fall vulnerable to the short lives and titles that we achieve”.
In this connection, he challenged the players to not let this tourney be the final destination of their career but dream big, go out and explore with perseverance and dedication.
“The world ahead has a lot of opportunities to promote and propel you to a higher level, '' he asserted.
The individual awards included best defenders- Alemmongba (Longpa Lomuden FC); best goalkeeper-Tiasunep (OCYU), Most Promising players –Merangtemjen (17 years) Youngsters Club; Highest Goal Scorer- Yhunshalo Kemp (Telongjem FC) and Players of the Tournament- Pursunep (Telongjem FC).