MDFA Trophy: Alempong YA tops table

Mongsenbai Youngsters custodian Tiasunep making a crucial save during their Pool B encounter against Alempang YA. (Morung photo)

Morung Express News
Mokokchung | October 14

In a high octane Pool B thriller, Alempang YA pipped Mongsenbai Youngsters 3-2 to leap frog to the top of the table and widened their prospects to move on to the knockout stages for the first time in their MDFA history. 

Amongba and Yashimeren put Alempang in front but Mongsenbai came back from behind to level the scores through Imnatoshi and Yangersosang. Imnatoshi is now the leading goal scorer in the tournament with 7 goals to his name followed by Zonipang’s Suponglemba with 6 goals. 

Yangersosang’s goal today came in the 60th minute through a beautifully executed bicycle kick with his right foot from the edge of the D box, one of the most spectacular goals at MDFA 2019 so far. However, the euphoria in the Mongsenbai camp was short lived as Alempang forward Lipoktoshi scored the third goal for his team just two minutes later which eventually set the two teams apart when the long whistle came. 

Alempang are now sitting at the top of Pool B with 7 points and one game to play. Mongsenbai has played out their 4 matches in the group league and are in the second place with 6 points. Their fate in the tournament is now beyond their control and would be hoping that Kumlong SA, who has 4 points from 2 games, do not register a win in their next two matches.

Earlier in the day’s first match, a buoyant Telongjem FC got the better of SSS Yellow by 3 goals to nil in their Pool D encounter. Kakhevi Assumi scored the first goal in the 25th minute for Telongjem FC. Muleyi Medeo and Purakum scored a goal each in the second half to register the third straight win for Telongjem FC. With today’s win, Telongjem FC are now into the quarterfinals as Pool D leaders, thus avoiding Pool C leaders Zonipang SA in the quarters. This will come as good news for Telongjem FC and they will be fancying their chances to make it all the way to October 26. 

Telongjem FC came into the tournament as outsiders to win the MDFA Trophy 2019 but with every match they played, the boys from Chungtia have proved their mettle. 

Meanwhile, SSS Yellow with 4 points still have a match against Sungkomen FC on Wednesday and they will qualify for the quarter finals if they rake in all three points from that crucial game as that would take them ahead of Young Boys FC who has 5 points but have played out all their games.