Upsets League top runners Nizams FC
Morung Express News
Chumukedima | June 3
Trinity Sporting made history, winning the CASE Premier League title for the third consecutive season.
A fine mix of relentless attacks and sturdy defence ensured the defending champions their treble win, defeating Nizams FC by 4 goals to 1 on June 2 at the Chumukedima Police Complex.
Starting the match on a high note, defending champions Trinity FC gave the Nizams a hard run for possession of the ball. The Nizams’ defense was constantly taunted as Trinity kept pressing towards their box. Giving their team the lead goal, Imtiyanger of Trinity scored the first goal of the match in a rebound from a corner kick.
Nearing to 30 minutes of the match, a beautiful cross from Nizam winger Pelevito saw a desperate yet tactful Akato, who tried to make the equalizer, but was flagged offside by the referee.
Breaching the Nizams defense in the 34th minute, Atokito scored the second goal for Trinity.
As the match progressed, Nizams missed a good opportunity to close the gap as a cross from Machen to Sopei failed to find the net.
Towards the end of the first half, Trinity had put up a sturdy defence, making it almost impossible for Nizams to penetrate. The first half ended with a 2-0 lead by Trinity over Nizams.
Heated half time pep talks in the Nizams dressing room proved somehow fruitful. They began the second half gaining the upper hand in ball possession.
However, the defending champions were not easily moved as they further secured their lead in the 62nd minute. Atokito came hard from the center, dribbled the ball into the goal area, tackled past the keeper and gave their team the third goal.
Left unmarked, Trinity skipper Rijulong netted the ball past the goalkeeper, taking the tally to 4-0.
The only respite for Nizams FC came in the dying minutes of the match as they were awarded a penalty for a hand ball foul by a Trinity defender. Pelevito, who took the spot kick, managed to save some face for Nizams.
With unlucky misses and lacklustre midfield play, paired with loose defending, Nizams FC missed out on stopping the winning streak for Trinity as they went on to retain their spot as champions for the third time.
“All our players gave their very best and it was a team effort,” commented Trinity Coach Rijulong, thanking God for the outcome.
The Nizam Coach, Ayeto, had this to say, “It wasn’t a good day for us as some of our players were missing in action. The standard of the league has improved drastically, the matches are not at all boring.”
Closing Ceremony
Convenor of the Organizing Committee, Rovi Yoshu, gave a brief history of the league. Committee member, Jamonger Ao, in his address, thanked the Dimapur District Football Referees Association for officiating the matches.
Senior players Oinam Jeet, Lima Ao, Yambemo Lotha and Zasie Vakha, who are in their 50s were acknowledged.
The Most Valuable Player award went to Meyakum of CASE FC. The Golden Gloves was bagged by Temsumeren of Nizams FC for the third consecutive time and the Golden Boot for most number of goals scored was awarded to Lima Ao from Teammate with a tally of 9 goals to his name.
The winning team was awarded with gift vouchers worth 15,000 and the runners-up with 10,000 worth of vouchers, sponsored by Playmart.
