Fusion FC players in white and Rise of Strangers FC in pink jersey in a match. (Morung Photo)
Moses Hongang Chang
Tuensang | July 12
The second match day of the ongoing Tuensang District Football Association (TDFA) League at the Loyem Memorial Astro Turf Ground brought fans to their feet as Rise of Strangers FC and Tuensang Village Sports Foundation (TVSF) produced stunning comeback victories in two action-packed fixtures.
In the opening match, Fusion FC looked poised for an easy win after captain Chang Lemba fired in a thunderous long-range strike in just the 2ndminute. Yutsa doubled the lead in the 22ndminute, and Rise of Strangers went into the break trailing 0-2.
But the second half was a different story. Thungti sparked the turnaround with a goal in the 45thminute, followed by a spectacular brace from Yenten in the 50th and 59th minutes that sealed the comeback at 3-2. Both sides fought relentlessly till the end, but the scoreline remained unchanged. Yenten, whose attacking flair changed the tide of the match, was named Man of the Match.
In the second fixture of Match day 2, TVSF clashed with 2022 TDFA Cup champions Naga Brothers FC in a fiery contest.
TVSF gained the upper hand early, with goals from Chongshen Sangba (17’) and Bapen Yimjong (22’) giving them a 2-0 halftime lead. Naga Brothers attempted to claw back, with winger Bichemli scoring in the 54thminute. However, free-kick specialist S. Ayenmongba responded with a curling strike in the 62ndminute – a finish reminiscent of his heroics in the Dr. T Ao Trophy hosted in Tuensang.
Bapen Yimjong extended TVSF’s lead to 4-1 with a second goal in the 74th minute. Naga Brothers launched a spirited fight back, as Bichemli netted again in the 75th and Relitong found the back of the net in the 85th. But despite the late drama, TVSF held on to secure a 4-3 win. Yimjong’s brace and commanding presence earned him the Man of the Match honor.
After Game-week 1, the TDFA League is heating up, with four teams’ level on points but separated by goal difference.
