MDFA Trophy: 3rd round robin leg promises thrills

Morung Express News
Mokokchung | October 13 

As the ongoing MDFA Trophy 2019 enters the third leg of the round robin after two weeks of entertaining football, the stakes are rising for each team and the football aficionados of Mokokchung are in for some real thrill. While strong title contenders Zonipang SA and defending champions Intermingle Club have already booked their berths for the quarter finals, none of the other teams have qualified so far although the formidable Telongjem FC are favourites to qualify from their pool.

In Pool A, Intermingle Club with two wins have already qualified for the quarter finals where they will meet the second placed winners from Pool B. The remaining three teams in Pool A all have the mathematical possibility to enter the quarter finals although it is highly unlikely for Revolution FC to beat Intermingle Club on Tuesday. Supervene United with three points must fancy their chances that a draw with YA Marepkong should be enough for them to make it to the next round while it is a case of do-or-die situation for YA Marepkong. 

Pool B is still yet wide open with no clear winners so far. There are five teams in this pool which makes it more interesting. Current table toppers Mongsenbai Youngsters will also need to win at least one of their two remaining games to ensure their place in the next round. Meanwhile, both Alempang YA and Kumlong SA at 4 points each from two games should look to secure at least one win from their two remaining games to qualify. Interestingly, the two sides meet on Thursday and that game should decide their fate as to who moves ahead. Mongolian Brothers with no point on the table is doubtful to qualify even if they win their next two games. For Hills XI FC, they need to win their next match against Mongolian Brothers on Thursday and hope for both Alermpang YA and Kumlong SA to not win any of their remaining games. This pool promises for some big upsets as the tournament progresses.

In Pool C, with Zonpiang SA already qualified and Unicorn FC already out of the tournament, it is now a straight contest between Moanungsang Memorial SC and NUSU FT to qualify in the second place. These two teams meet on Friday for their winner-takes-all game. In the event of a tie, Moanungsang MSC will move ahead on goal aggregate. 

Also featuring five teams, Pool D like Pool B is still wide open with no run away winners in the points table. Current table leaders Telongjem FC are favourites to qualify but their next two matches are against SSS Yellow and SSS Blue, both of which are capable of beating any team on their day. However, Telongjem FC will look to top the table, in which case they have the comparatively easier route to the final. Young Boys FC, who have played out their four matches with 5 points in their kitty will have to wait for the outcome of the rest of the matches in the pool to determine their fate. However, SSS Yellow need just 2 points from two games to better the Young Boys. SSS Blue can also move ahead in the points table if they win their next two fixtures.

With Zonipang SA and Intermingle Club as table winners in their respective pools, they will meet in the semis provided they win their respective quarter final matches. If that happens, it will be a rematch of last year’s final and can be considered as the “final before the final.”