Dimapur, May 6 (MExN): Nizams FC stretched its win streak to five games in the Case Premier League beating bottom of the table Super Strikers 2-0 at the Police Ground, Chumukedima on Saturday.
Defending champions Trinity Sporting also edged past Case FC in a closely contested match between two sides fighting for second place while Teammate, in fourth place, were held to a 1-1 draw by STAFAC.
However, the match of the day saw new entrants Natak FC making a rousing second-half comeback from 3-0 down to beat G-Sports.
The crowd at the DGP Ground was enthralled to a thrilling match as G-Sports looked to assert their dominance early in the match with striker Yanger scoring two goals in less than 20 minutes. As Nataks scampered to seal their defensive openings, Vizoru added another to the tally – Supong with the assist. The scoreline read 3-0 just before the half hour mark.
Natak FC regrouped at half time and came back a rejuvenated side. Midfielder Sanjit wasted little time in pressing for goals as his effort from distance in the opening minute of the second half nestled into the back of the net.
Five minutes later, Nataks’ nippy forward Viketo combined with teammate Mesevito to make it 3-2. Skipper Mintu converted a free kick from distance which went right into the top corner of the goal. In the dying minutes of the game, Viketo scored a perfect header beating two defenders from Rinsit’s cross to complete a fairytale comeback.
The win kept alive Nataks hopes of qualifying for the semifinal playoffs. As of Week 5, Viketo leads the score table with six goals from five matches.
Nizams meanwhile climbed to 15 points after registering its 5th consecutive win despite a scrappy performance which saw goalkeeper Meren deny Super Strikers with three top-notched saves in the first half. Temsu opened the scoring for Nizams when he dribbled past two defenders and drilled the ball low into the net. Aloto added to the tally after receiving a cross from Pele as the match ended 2-0.
A braced from Aruti helped Trinity Sporting edge past Case FC in a closely contested match between two sides fighting for second place. Both teams went for the win but it was Trinity which drew first blood as Aruti scored from a header from close range. The lead only lasted 8 minutes as Kaisu leveled for Case and both teams continued to cancel each other out. However, in the dying minutes, Aruti managed to squeeze the ball past the Case FC goalkeeper as the match ended 2-1 in favour of the defending champions.
Teammate’s bid for top four spot was hampered with a 1-1 draw against a resurgent STAFAC side. Lima Ao had opened the scoring with a curling free-kick to take Teammate ahead. However, when STAFAC were awarded a penalty, Sedevi calmly levelled the score.
