Kohima, June 28 (MExN): All Blacks suffered a crushing 1-9 loss against MRH Sunrisers in the ongoing Morning Premier League played here at the D Khel Ground on Wednesday. The defeat effectively ended any hopes All Blacks had of chasing leaders Power Comm and Medical XI as the two teams are now five points clear at the top of the table with 38 points each with one game left apiece. Once runaway leaders, All Blacks had started off the league impressively registering a 9-game unbeaten run – with 8 wins and one draw – at the halfway stage and were comfortably placed to claim the very first league title. However, since then, the All Blacks have only managed 2 wins – losing four times and drawing twice – and are now third with one game in hand. The All Blacks’ poor form continued on Wednesday as they were miserably outplayed by MRH Sunrisers. Sunrisers’ Tali opened the scoring in the 4th minute before Kevilebei equalised two minutes later. That was all the All Blacks would come up with throughout the match as Chuba and Asat combined to score five goals between them while three other teammates notch one apiece. Meren restored the lead in the 20th minute before Chuba and Asat took over the show. Chuba scored on the 32nd minute and Asat found the net three minutes later. Less than five minutes later, Chuba added one more as the first half ended 5-1. The two continued to torment the All Blacks defence after the restart as Chuba completed his hat-trick in the 50th minute. Tuntan and Taku then scored within three minutes of each others’ goal scoring in the 64th and 67th minutes and Asat completed the 9-1 rout in the 70th minute. Victory for Sunrisers’ meant they climb to 6th place with 23 points displacing Morung United who remain on 20 points having lost 5-1 to leaders Power Comm on Monday. Earlier on Tuesday, Medical XI kept pace with leaders Power Comm with a 4-1 win over Merhulietsa FC.
