Mokokchung (blue) and Tseminyu (orange) players in action during the Dr T Ao Trophy in Mokokchung on April 22.
Morung Express News
Mokokchung | April 22
Longleng District Football Association and Football Association Noklak District settled for a draw 0-0 in the first match of the Dr T Ao Trophy, which entered its 4th day on April 21.
Both teams were equally poised in the first match of the day, but both were guilty of losing their chances. In a closely contested match, both teams missed their chances and had to settle for a draw.
When the referee awarded a penalty for a handball inside the area in the 28th minute, Noklak striker Tangsoi should have converted, but Longleng keeper Adok A Phom managed to keep the ball out of the danger zone.
Longleng had their chances to score as well, and substitute Kondang M Angto could have put the game to bed in injury time, but he shot wide of the mark after a bad clearance from keeper Hatho.
However, luck did not ride on either side of the team ending the match in a goalless draw.
Shamator Football District Association, a debutant squad, drew 1-1 with Peren District Football Association in the second match. The game was decided by two headers, with both teams scoring from corner kicks.
C Shitomong of the debutant squad stunned the opponent by scoring in the third minute. The goal gave the debutant squad the upper hand and confidence, while Peren stumbled and panicked after conceding the game's opening goal. The Peren team was not at its best and was unable to break the tie.
In the 51st minute of the second half, Thülungso Yimchunger came close to scoring the game's second goal but struck the crossbar. Peren's luck changed in the 55th minute when Keyipuakleube, the substitute, headed in the equaliser to tie the game at 1-1.
Peren pushed hard for the winning goal but were unable to break through as the match finished in a tie, leaving the quarterfinal qualifying in Group C wide open.
In the most awaited match of day 4, home team Mokokchung suffered a defeat to debutant Tseminyu 3-0 putting Tseminyu into the quarterfinal round of the tournament in Group D.
Tseminyu's Resü-Semp-Kath-Kemp launched impressive attacks at Mokokchung's back four, while Mokokchung's sloppy mistakes from the centre forwards were unable to penetrate the mid put up by Nyithong Magh and Sinlo Kent.
In the fifth minute, Vekhrüto Resü struck the back of the net with ease, as the Mokokchung defence couldn't keep up with his brilliant footwork. Tseminyu's Vekhruto and Kemp attempted many goal as the game progressed.
Vekhrüto Resü scored again in the 14th minute of the game, making the Mokokchung team and crowd miserable.
Kemp sealed the deal for the Tseminyu side in the 30th minute, after goalkeeper Mulong made a horrible blunder while attempting to clear the ball.
Kohima District Football Association meanwhile thrashed Zunheboto District Football Association by 5-0 in the last match of the day.
Thejasetuo Gwirie and Kevisanyu Peseyie scored two goals each, while Vilhoubeituo Yhome added one for Kohima team. The win puts Kohima team into the quarterfinal round of the tournament with six points for Group D.
In comparison to the first encounter, Kohima saw significant improvement. Their forwards scored without much difficulty, and their captain, Kekhrieletuo Tsira, kept the game moving at a good pace.
Kohima got off to a slow start while the Zunheboto squad pressed forward but didn't have many chances. Thejasetuo Gwirie scored the first goal for Kohima in the 22nd minute, setting the tone for the rest of the game. Kevisanyu Peseyie added the second goal six minutes later to make it 2-0 in the first half.
Kohima scored three more goals in the second half, with Peseyie adding his second goal in the 41st minute, Gwirie adding his second goal in the 43rd minute, and Vilhoubeituo Yhome completing the rout scoring from close range in the 54th minute.
Table standings
At the end of the second round, in Group A, Dimapur leads the table tally with 6 points, Wokha in second with three points.
In Group B, Tuensang and Mon jointly on top of table with 4 points each and +3 goal difference.
In Group C, Peren with 4 points tops the table followed by Shamator and Longleng with 1 point each.
In Group D, Tseminyu leads the table with 6 point (+9 goal difference), followed by Kohima with 6 points (+6 goal difference).
Matches for April 23
Niuland Vs Tuensang: 9:00 am
Kiphire Vs Mon: 11:00 am
Phek Vs Wokha: 1:30 pm
Dimapur Vs Chümoukedima: 3:30 pm
