CPL: Natak FC clear path to claim title

Nizams' Ravi takes a shot as CASE FC player Gaibi looks on. (Photo by Talimoa Pongen)

Dimapur, March 3 (MExN):  Runaway league leaders Natak FC trumped defending champions Trinity Sporting 3-0 on Matchday 12 of the CASE Premier League clash clearing its path to claim the Season 4 championship title with two matches remaining.

The first few minutes of the game saw little from both sides, but the Trinity forwards seemed more menacing, enterprising, and created more openings and scoring chances.

However, it was Nataks who opened the scoring and doubled their lead in quick succession: a brilliant 22nd minute long-range effort from forward Pokhotso whose shot rattled the woodwork beforenestling into the net leaving the Trinity keeper a mere spectator while winger Supong added another two minutes later.

Just before the break, Natak’s Jogon found the ball from a rebound, which the keeper had failed to collect, and neatlyplaced the ball into the back of the net.

As the second half resumed, Trinity Sporting stepped up their attacking game bringing in their talisman forward Atokito but Natak’s veteran sweeper Yanger never lost sight of the young attacker’s moves. Although Trinity kept pressing at short intervals and had good possession of the ball, timely interceptions from the Natak defenders kept any danger at bay ensuring the victory.

The orange brigade have 31 points from their 12 games and lead their nearest rivals Sporting United by 8 points – a mathematically impossible task with only two games remaining.

Earlier, Sporting Union sunk Ruboo United 2-0 to claim 3 crucial points to climb above Trinity to second place on the table – ahead of Nizams FC on goal difference. 

Nizams FC defeated CASE FC 2-1 as goals from Nchum Ovung and Akato kept their hopes of securing second place alive.