Staff Reporter
Dimapur, November 27
Tuensang downed Zunheboto 2-1 in the last quarterfinal match of the ongoing 19th Dr. T. Ao Inter-District Football Championship to enter the semifinal on Thursday. In a passionate match, Zunheboto fought till the final whistle among the cheers and screams of supporters and football lovers. Kicking off the game, Zunheboto got an early opportunity to take the lead after they were awarded a free-kick just 30 yards from the goal. The free shot taken by Atoka (11), however, went straight into the safe hands of Tuensang custodian Soyimbemo.
Sharing equal possession of the ball, both teams failed to create any clear chance and the only opportunities that came in their way was in the form of free kicks. Tuensangs’s Medovituo (7) almost gave the lead to his team but his curling free kick hit the cross-bar. Five minutes later, Tuensang almost found the net but Shillem’s (11) shot was saved by Zunheboto goalie Ikiho.
However in the 34th minute of the match, Dekhingri (6) found the net after Zunheboto’s defender Atoka failed to clear the ball. In the final minutes of the first half, Zunheboto pressed hard for equalizer but couldn’t find one.
Entering the second half, a determined Zunheboto team began to take control of the game but never got close to finding the equalizer and it was Tuensang boys who extended their lead further to 2-1. The second goal came in through the boots of Nungsang in the 54th minute.
Zunheboto, after many attempts, found the net in the 67th minute through the boots of Hoinato to cut the goal deficit by 1. Zunheboto, who was considered as title contender, pressed hard for a leveler till the last minute but failed to find the net.
Tuensang will now face Mokokchung, who defeated Dimapur 4-2 earlier, in the second semi finals on Saturday.
Earlier, Kohima entered the semifinals after beating Wokha in a penalty shootout after the match ended in a 1-1 draw. Kohima will face Phek in the first semifinal match on Friday at 2:00 pm.
Result
Phek 2-0 Peren
Mokokchung 4-2 Dimapur
Kohima 3-2 Wokha (penalties)
Tuensang 2-1 Zunheboto
Today’s match
1st semifinal
Time: 2:00 pm
Kohima vs Phek
