Players of Barak FC Peren and Kohima Eagles FC pose for lens along with match patron Rev Fr. Peter Salew, Parish Priest, Christ King School Kohima and members of the Classic Club Kohima on November 17.
Kohima, November 17 (MExN): Three-time defending champions – Barak Football Club, Peren have once again remained unbeaten to enter into the final of the 23rd Classic Cup organized by Classic Club at the Kohima Local Ground here.
Playing one of the most exciting matches of the tournament so far, Barak FC nearly faced a drub against debutants Kohima Eagles as they managed to confirm the final berth 5-4 via a sudden death in tie-breaker as the teams were unable to break the 0-0 deadlock within the 90 minutes stipulated play time.
Extra-time play could not progress as the match had to be suspended for almost 40 minutes as dense fog caused visibility problem after 13 minutes of play in the first half.
Resuming the match, Eagles got an excellent opportunity in 22nd minute as Menguzelie came one on one with custodian Peisuidibe inside the danger zone, but his shot went wide over the cross bar. Couple of minutes before the lemon break, Barak skipper Tingyek Konyak strided alone inside the danger zone but failed to convert the opportunity.
Three minutes after the break, the defending champions were favoured with a penalty spot kick for a handball foul committed by Eagles defender Kevizapu inside the D’box for which he was yellow carded. But, custodian Medophrezo managed to block Elminhao Kilong’s shot. In the 55th minute too, the Eagles goalie excellently intercepted a target header from Rhitsho Mero.
Eagles got another opportunity in 67th minute with Kekhrieletuo’s shot barely missing the first post.
Thereafter, neither side was unable to break the deadlock leading to direct tie-break. Here also, Eagles got the advantage as custodian Medophrezo neatly blocked Barak’s fifth shooter Kethosilie. Fortunately, Peisuidibe also managed to thwart the Eagles last shooter Petevizo. Barak won the match in the sudden death with Barak’s Sakutemjen Jamir getting through the last shot, while Kethozelo’s shot was blocked ending the tie-breaker 5-4.
Salukulimbe of Barak and Kevizapu and Petevizo of Eagles were penalized for unsporting behavior during the match.
2nd Semi Final
match on Nov 18
New Market XI vs St. Joseph’s College @ 2:00pm
