Dimapur, October 21 (MExN): Natak FC retained the top spot with 12 points after an emphatic 3-1 win over Ruboo United as the CASE Premier League entered its fifth week.
The league leaders’ first goal was scored by Pokhotso who latched on to a whipped cross by Thepfoulhousa. The second goal came through Supong who slotted the ball into the nets, after a long rang effort by Rohit rebounded off the post. Sanjit scored under similar circumstances as he slotted home a rebound from the crossbar off of Pokhotso’s right foot.
The only goal for Ruboo United came through Aito who broke free of his marker to fire a fierce shot into goal.
Sporting Union and CASE FC needed wins to put pressure on league leaders Natak FC, having won their previous matches. It was Sporting Union who started the game with pressure and controlled more of the possession to go ahead, courtesy of Angwarhring with a well-placed shot into the corner of the goalpost.
CASE FC tried to come back but the Union defenders had other plans. In the 31st minute, Sporting Union were awarded a penalty as Machan committed an unintentional handball inside the six-yard box which the CASE custodian Jaimeren saved brilliantly. In the second half, CASE FC attacked more but valiant defending from the Union defense kept the score at 1 - 0. It soon turned 2-0 after CASE FC conceded another penalty, this time calmly converted by Akum.
As the game moved on, Sporting Union continued attacking and in the final minutes, Talisunep scored the third goal following a combination of neat passes ending the game at 3- 0.
Joga Bonito drew 3 - 3 against Nizams FC as the latter made a strong comeback to equalise in the second half of the game. Having won their last game against Ruboo United, the Joga players started confidently making brilliant defense-splitting passes from the side flanks.
In the 10th minute, a beautiful individual display from the right flank by Dr.Lurong led to the first goal of the match giving Joga Bonito the lead. Minutes later, a defensive mix up on the part of the Nizams defense gave striker Dr.Lipok the opportunity to slot the second goal home with ease. Just as the defensive setup of the Nizams was starting to look shaky, an own goal from right back Thanring added to the opponents’ score tally.
As the second half resumed, Joga defender Gonmei made a tactical mistake netting an own goal giving the Nizams their first goal of the match. In the 68th minute, Nizams forward Nchumwho came in replacing Ravi, beautifully slotted the second goal for his team from 10 yards out, finding the top corner of the left-hand post. Just as the game seemed to end in favour of Joga Bonito, confusion within the Joga defenders opened a chance for Angam to slam home the third and final goal, making the perfect comeback as both teams took home a point each from the draw.
The match between Super Strikers and Trinity Sporting was an even contest in the first half as both teams had chances to score. In the second half, Trinity attacked harder and following a lovely interchange of passes, forward Atokito put his team ahead.
As Super Strikers pressed for the equaliser, they were caught on the counter givingGigin and Seigouhaothe chance to scorethe second and third goals respectively to put the game out of reach as the match ended 3 – 0 in favour of Trinity Sporting.
