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Busy Supervene FC custodian Takosunep neatly collects the ball during the last Pool A league match against Marepkong YA. (Morung photo)
Two-time champions Moanungsang MSC, newbie Supervene FC fill remaining QF slots
Morung Express News
Mokokchung | October 18
The penultimate day of the group stages of the MDFA Trophy 2019 on October 18 saw two exciting matches being played between four equally strong contingents, with all four teams vying for the last two remaining slots in the quarterfinals.
New entrants Supervene FC, who are also the youngest side in the tournament with a team average age of 18 years, outplayed a more experienced opponent Marepkong YA in the first match to come from behind and win the all-important match.
A draw was enough for Supervene FC but Marepkong YA needed to win the match to take them through to the knockout stages as Pool A runners-up.
Merenlemba gave Marepkong YA the lead in the 28th minute but Suponglemba found the equalizer for Supervene FC in the 35th minute.
Meyisemba doubled the lead when he found the winner through a spot kick just 3 minutes later. Marepkong YA kept pressing for the equalizer but the goal remained elusive for the rest of the match, with Supervene FC missing the mark on serveral occasions in their counter attack.
Supervene FC goalie Takosunep remained a busy custodian making some brilliant saves.
Supervene FC, who had a nightmarish start to the tournament when they were decimated by Intermingle Club 9-0 in the inaugural match of the tournament, came into the match with 3 points on the table while Marepkong YA had 1 point. Supervene FC will face Alempang YA in the next round which will be the first quarterfinal experience for either teams at any MDFA Trophy.
The second match of the day was played between former champions Moanungsang Memorial SC and NUSU Football Team. Both teams had 3 points from 2 matches and were looking to qualify for the quarterfinals as Pool C runners-up behind Zonipang SA.
The 2006 and 2007 champions very nearly took the lead inside 30 seconds when their striker and oldest player in the tournament, Rongsenchiba missed the goal by a whisker.
The match tempo rose with each passing minute as the stakes got higher but neither side managed to make the breakthrough.
Longshin and Imsulemba of Moanungsang MSC and Imrongtuba of NUSU FT were awarded yellow cards for foul play in the highly charged match. The match ended in a goalless draw but the former champions were the more jubilant side of the two as they qualified for the quarterfinals on goal difference. They had scored 6 goals and conceded 3 while the NUSU FT side had conceded 5 while scoring only 4 in the tournament. Moanungsang MSC will face Pool D winners Telongjem FC in the quarter finals.
