Players of Phek (red) against Chümoukedima (blue & white) in action during the third match on Thursday at the ongoing Dr T Ao Trophy in Mokokchung.
Morung Express News
Mokokchung | April 21
The first match of the ongoing Dr T Ao Trophy in Mokokchung saw Tingnyek (Ating) Konyak save Mon District Football Association’s blushes as they secured a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Tuensang District Football Association.
Tuensang made a quick start by scoring in the 6th minute through Beshang. Mon fought back for an equaliser but did not find the net as Tuensang held on to their lead for the first half.
However, a gaffe by goalkeeper Tiarenba in the second half allowed Mon to score the much-needed equaliser in the 45th minute. A free kick by Ating Konyak equalised after the goalie blundered by dropping the ball into his own net.
Meanwhile, debutants Niuland District Football Association registered their first win of the tournament by winning big against Kiphire District Football Association by 4-0 in the second match.
After losing the first match to Mon, the squad battled back to win the second match and earn three points. Niuland will meet Tuensang in their final encounter. Mughapu opened the scoring in the 33rd minute, while Kitho Kiho scored two goals in 45th and 47th minutes. Devika Zhimo scored in the 64th minute to finish the game.
Mughapu was culpable of missing two golden opportunities in the first half, but did score the first goal for the team. He was later substituted as the game improved with the introduction of midfielder Vinoka Aye. They ran riot in the second half scoring three goals to finish the game in their favour.
District Football Association Phek, the defending champion, drew 1-1 with Chümoukedima District Football Association in the third round. Phek’s reigning champions were relieved when Mutuzo Dzudo scored in injury time. Paul scored the 42nd minute goal for the Chümoukedima side.
It was a game with much tension as both teams needed a win to keep themselves alive in the tournament. Chümou lost against Wokha, while Phek lost against Dimapur in their first matches.
The best moment for Chümoukedima came in the 25th minute, as Shurhosul Zhotso almost scored a goal when his shot was pushed out by the Phek goalkeeper Veseto Chuzho.
The first half saw both teams failing to break the deadlock but the second half was a different story with both teams fighting for a win. Chümou got themselves into the score sheet through Paul from a corner kick in the 42nd minute.
However, Phek kept on looking for the equalizer and were awarded the opportunity in injury time as defender Mutuzo Dzudo found the equalizer in the dying minutes of the match. With the last league match remaining for both teams, they will need to secure a victory to progress into the next round. Chümou faces Dimapur and Phek takes on Wokha in their last matches.
Dimapur District Football Association continued their good form winning their second successive game against resilient a Wokha side 2-0. A win for Dimapur puts the team into the quarterfinal round with six points and a match in hand. While Phek, Wokha, Chümoukedima will fight for the second place for the quarterfinal round.
Pursunep and Kakhevi Assumi scored for Dimapur in the 36th and 60th minutes.
Wokha were defensively sound in the first half as they pressed high against the Dimapur team. But Dimapur substitute Pursunep scored in the second half and Kakhevi Assumi finished the game scoring in the 60th minute making it 2-0 for Dimapur. Yellow cards were shown to Sarungbemo Shitiri of Wokha, Benrithung and Hekato of Dimapur during the match.
