Visiting team Senapati FC sails to second round with ease

Kigwema Students’ Union, Ablaze FC, Quasars Club enter next round  

Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, SEPTEMBER 24

Senapati FC of Manipur signaled their entry in the ongoing NSF Martyrs’ Memorial Trophy with a convincing victory against Pereizie XI, Kohima, held today at Khuochiezie Ground, Kohima. The visiting team trounced Pereizie XI by 3-0 to enter the next round of the month-long soccer tournament.
The team from Senapati took an early lead in the 3rd minute through their skipper Koveo. The custodian of Pereizie was taken by surprise as Koveo’s brilliant strike inside the D-box area found the net, giving his team to jubilate for the much needed lead.
Going by the first half proceedings, the match witnessed equal ball possession and counter attacks from both the teams. Though trailing behind, the match was equally poised and could have gone either way as the players of Pereizie XI fought back determinedly to stay in the game.Entering the second half, the Pereizie players were all out to find the equalizer. However, their hopes was shattered as Senapati FC’s centre forward Mayon found the net to give his team the second lead in the 65th minute.
Moving into the additional time, H. Vareiyang scored the third goal in the 72nd minute to knock out Pereizie XI from the championship.
Playing the third match of the day, Model Christian College, Kohima were humiliated by the Kigwema Students’ Union (KSU) by a margin of 5-0.
Leading from the front, KSU centre forward Shürhotolie Pfükha steered his team to the next round as he scored a hat-trick, becoming the sixth player to do so in this year’s edition.
Shürhotolie Pfükha has now joined Sorhosül Pucho and Zadutol Phinyo of Tiema Khe of Kidima, Nungsang Ao and Bei Khiamniungan of Khulioh King and Meren of Pro-Streax United, Dimapur, in the list of hat-trick scorers.
The hat-trick goal of Shürhotolie came through a spot-kick in the 52nd minute as one of the defenders of Model Christian College took down a KSU forward inside the D-box area. He netted his first and second goals in the 15th minute and 34thminute.
The second goal for KSU was scored by Zhazoto Sale in the 28th minute, while Kuzole Phira scored the fourth goal in the 42nd minute. Making it through to the second round, Kigwema Students’ Union will next play with Senapati FC on October 2.
Earlier in the first match, Ablaze FC, Kohima, defeated Vanguard FC by 2-1 to get past the first round. It was the Vanguard FC who found the first lead through Nouneneilie Rino in the 7th minute. Trailing behind, the Ablaze FC fought back and found the equalizer in the 35th minute just before the first half whistle.
Entering the second half, Megoriezo of Ablaze FC silenced the supporters of Vanguard FC as his strike got past the custodian to make it 2-1.
The second match played between 2nd Spartans FC of Patkai Christian College, Dimapur and The Quasars Club, Kohima, was decided through tie-break.
The Quasars Club emerged as the luckier team in the tie-break, but not before they were given a scare by the college team from Dimapur.
Earlier in the match, The Quasars Club took the first lead in the 23rd minute through their skipper Benchamo. A rejuvenated Spartans FC came back in the game as their striker Nikaho Awomi found the equalizer in the 40th minute to take the match to tie-break, but not enough to take them to the next round as the Quasars got the better of them in the tie-break.

FIXTURE FOR SEPTEMBER 25 (FRIDAY)
Native Feathers, Ntuma, Peren Vs Nagabazar Youth Org @ 11 am
Poilwa Youth Org, Peren Vs Headwinds FC, Kohima @ 12.30 pm
Barak FC, Peren Vs Sechü Zubza Youth Organization @ 2 pm
Nagaland University vs Capital College of Higher Edu @ 2 pm