Players in action at the 2nd edition of the Case Premier League which got underway on Saturday.
Nizams FC Dimapur only team to register win on day one
Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 16
Symbolically blowing a whistle, Parliamentary Secretary for Irrigation & Flood Control, Tovihoto Ayemi on Saturday kicked off the second edition of Case Premier League at DGP Ground, Chumukedima Police Complex.
Speaking on the occasion, Ayemi appreciated the efforts of the league organisers stating that it was a good platform to come together, interact, keep oneself fit and also to bring unity.
“We should encourage our people to stay fit,” he said and urged the organisers to continue holding the league and bring more people together.
Ayemi also said the coming together of players from different walks of life also provided a good platform for forging unity which he described as “the need of the hour for Naga people.”
In the first match, defending champions Trinity Sporting were held to a goalless draw by Case FC. It was misfortune for Case FC as the highest scorer from last edition, Dr. Lipok suffered a fracture on the sheen after colliding with the goalkeeper of Trinity FC early on in the game.
With the hot afternoon sun sapping the energy of most of the players, both teams were content to play out a drab draw.
The second match was an exciting affair as A1 Powerplay and STAFAC United Patkai played out a 3-3 draw. Powerplay took the lead in the 5th minute after Akika cut in from the left and found Nito around the 6 yard box who eased the ball past the STAFAC goalkeeper.
Akika was instrumental for Powerplay as he used his pace and guile to trouble the STAFAC defence. In the second half, he cut in from out wide, but this time from the right, and found Yannath for a simple tap in.
Powerplay looked comfortable after going 2-0 up but STAFAC pulled one back with Keneivikho Khro heading in from a corner.
Minutes later STAFAC pulled even with Chui beating the offside trap and shooting from outside the 18-yard box – the goalkeeper was unmoved as the ball zoomed into the back of the net.
STAFAC then took the lead after the Powerplay custodian made a clearance which left him out of position and unfortunately, found Chui who looped it past the keeper and into the net from distance.
However, Powerplay continued to press and their persistence paid off in the dying minutes when Bokito made a run from deep and found Temsu with a defence splitting pass – the latter slotting the ball calmly past the goalkeeper as the match ended 3-3.
Nizams FC Dimapur were the only team to register a win on the day as they beat G. Sporting Club in a feisty third match. G. Sporting Club largely controlled the match in the first half but some resolute defending from Nizams saw all threats being neutralized. Towards the end of the half, Bito made it 1-0 for Nizams – a touch fortunate as his shot went in through the goalkeeper’s legs.
Substitute Sopei then made it 2-0 in the second half as the Nizams started to assert more control on the game. The match saw some feisty tackles late in the match as players from both teams clashed and engaged in heated arguments but Nizams held on for three points.
