NE Dr T Ao Trophy: Nagaland, Arunachal enter semifinals

NE Dr T Ao Trophy

NE Dr T Ao Trophy

Players in action during the match between Nagaland and Manipur on January 24.
 

• Nagaland beat Manipur 3-2
• Arunachal  hammer Tripura 16-0, 
   through on goal difference

 

KOHIMA, JANUARY 24 (MExN): Nagaland continued their unbeaten run as they defeated Manipur 3-2 in the ongoing NE Dr T Ao Trophy at IG Stadium Kohima on January 24.


Nagaland took the lead first through skipper Khwetelhi Thopi in the 8th minute of the game. Manipur came back five minutes before the end of the first half as Lalminlian Vaiphei leveled the scores. 


Thirteen minutes into the second half, Rhitso Mero restored the host’s lead.  Nagaland’s lead was doubled in the 93rd minute as Thopi scored his second goal of the game.

 table
Manipur fought back in the dying minutes of the game with Luginthang Kigpen scoring in the 94th minute but there was no time left for a comeback. 


With the win, Nagaland top Group A of the tournament with 9 points, while Arunachal come in second with 6. Manipur lose out on the semi final spot on goal difference. 


Nagaland had already secured their semi final berth just two matches into the tournament. 


In the second Group A match, Tripura’s wretched run of form continued as Arunachal Pradesh hammered them by an astounding scoreline of 16-0.


Avinash Kharel started the scoring for Arunachal in the 7th minute, followed quickly by Charu Lalum in the 10th minute. Charu Lalum scored a brace, while Kharel scored two more before the end of the first half to complete his hattrick. 


Soon after the break, Puji Nohag got into the action scoring in the 51st minute, followed by a brace from Tapi Hakhe. Kharel scored his fourth of the match in the 78th minute, while Tarh Dolu also got into the scoresheet in the 81st minute. Just two minutes after, Dorjee Sherpa put the goal into the net, followed by another goal from Tagru James. 


Kharel wasn’t done yet as he scored his fifth goal of the match in the 88th minute. A brace from Tagru James in the dying minutes ensured a hattrick for him as well, bringing an end to a dominating performance from the Arunachal Pradesh team.


With this win, even though level on points with Manipur, Arunachal proceed to the semi finals on goal difference.