MDFA Day 5: Mongsenbai, Zonipang register wins

Tongpangkokba of Moanungsang Memorial SC sweeping forward with the ball as Zonipang SA skipper Chubangangnen vie to dispossess him during the Pool C encounter between the two former champions. (Photo MDFA)

Morung Express News
Mokokchung | October 5

A capacity crowd at Imkongmeren Sports Complex was entertained worth every penny of their weekend football tickets here today at the ongoing MDFA Trophy 2019. A resurgent Mongsenbai YA side recovered from their previous loss on Thursday to their neighbours Kumlong SA to register an emphatic victory today against minnows Mongolian Brothers in the first match of the day while the second match of the day saw two former champions lock their horns in their first outings of the tournament.

Onenkaba scored the first goal for Mongsenbai at 13 minutes into the game against Mongolian Brothers and the lead was doubled by Imnatoshi in the 20th minute. Mongolian Brothers could not recover from their first half debacle as they conceded three more goals in the second half, losing their first game in the tournament by 5 goals to nil. Imnatoshi scored his second goal of the match in the 51st minute and Shiponglemba added another one just one minute later. The final nail in the coffin was hammered in by Mongsenbai YA defender Limasunep in the 57th minute, ensuring their first win in two games.

In the second match of the day, 2006 and 2007 champions Moanungsang Memorial SC faced off with 2012 and 2017 champions and finalists of 2018, Zonipang SA where the later emerged eventual winners. Zonipang SA exhibited more composure and showed signs of intend to make it all the way to October 26 despite their Nigerian marquee player Stephen Mayen Reech not making his appearance in today’s game. The match was evenly poised for most part of the first half but Zonipang’s Retso Mero broke the ice when he found the back of the net in the 28th minute. Moanungsang MSC still looked like they could rewrite the outcome of the match and script a victory like they used to during their heyday campaigns a decade ago. However, Zonipang had other plans and Suponglemba demonstrated just that when he scored the second goal of the match in the 60th minute. Sujimong widened the lead for Zonipang ten minutes later and there was no way Moanungsang MSC could salvage a point from the match after that.

Fixture for 7 October
12:00 Noon - SSS Yellow Vs Young Boys FC
02:00 PM – Supervene United Vs Revolution FC