Team Ating Konyak Vs Kivi Zhimomi
Morung Express News
Mokokchung | April 28
Dimapur District Football Association will clash against Mon District Football Association in the finals of the ongoing 22nd edition of the Inter-District Football Championship Dr T Ao Trophy 2022 at Imkongmeren Sports complex Mokokchung on Friday.
A friendly rivalry between former academy colleagues Tingnyek (Ating) Konyak and Kivi Zhimomi is in the offing at the final match. Both players are wearing the captain’s armband for Mon and Dimapur. The duo have played together since their academy days at Dimapur. He and Zhimomi perhaps formed the best known midfield partnership in their prime time. The duo played together in local tournaments, and were even signed by the Shillong-based club Rangdajied United FC. However Kivi went on to play in I-league while Ating came back to Nagaland. Kivi went on to sign with Northeast United while Ating had to overcome several injuries.
Ating, the captain of Mon is now back to form leading his team to the finals of the tournament against all odds. “I’ve been nervous about leading the team where the players have never played together as a team, but with how our performances have been throughout the tournament, I trust my team. If we continue to maintain the consistency and put little more efforts, we can hopefully win the title,” he said.
Speaking about his former teammate, he described Kivi as an excellent player, while stating that it will be an honor to play against his team.
Ating said the Mon team have given their best in all the matches and hope to do the same in the final. Appreciating the support from their fans, Ating hoped his team can bring them joy and pride through their performance in the final match.
Former Northeast United player Kivi Zhimomi and now Gokulam FC player said he was very excited for the finals and believed his team can make history.
On Ating Konyak, he was excited to play against his former teammate in the finals. Dimapur faces a tough challenge, he said, while dsescribing Ating as “the best midfielder in Nagaland in his prime.”
On preparation for finals, he said, the Dimapur team will go all out with no excuses and will fight till the end of the final whistle. As a captain Kivi said he has to be an example and assured to give his all for the final match. He believed that his team would play with one heart.
Dimapur have scored eight goals in five matches. Kakhevi Assumi is the leading scorer for the team with three goals. They are yet to concede a goal in the tournament. Dimapur beat the likes of Niuland and Peren in quarterfinals and semis to enter the finals of the tournament.
Mon have meanwhile scored 12 goals, with Laiwang Bohamm Konyak and Shamba Samson Konyak having scored three goals each. Mon defeated the defending champion Phek, Tseminyu in the quarterfinals and semis of the tournament to reach the finals.
Meanwhile, in an exhibition match on Thursday, the NFA Technical Team beat the Organising Committee 4-2.
The closing ceremony of the Dr T Ao trophy will be graced by Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio on April 29 from 12:00 noon onwards at Imkongmeren Sports Complex. The tournament is being hosted by the Mokokchung District Football Association
