Er. Neikha with Nagaland team in New Delhi on September 13.
Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 13
Nagaland today lost to Manipur in the semi finals of U-14 Subroto Cup 2022, played at New Delhi.
Greenwood School, Dimapur, which represented Nagaland lost to Manipur 0-2.
Greenwood School failed short of goals as Heirok Higher Secondary School Imphal, Manipur scored two goals in the semifinal match.
A.Devo netted the first goal for Manipur team in the 24th minute while L. Bikramjit added another goal in the 45th minute.
In other semifinal match today, Jharkhand defeated Chandigarh 3-1 to enter final.
Manipur will now play against Jharkhand in the final match on September 15.
The team for Nagaland was led by Kechi as team coach, Kevilebei as manager and Limathung Lotha as team captain.
Nagaland Youth Resources & Sports Advisor Er Zale Neikha, who is currently in New Delhi met Nagaland team today.
He congratulated Nagaland team for making it to semi finals and told them not to feel discourage with their loss but to accept the defeat in good faith and wished them successful journey in the field of football.
“I wish the Nagaland team a great success in their future sport events they are going to go through,” he said. “It is a proud moment for the people of Nagaland that Nagaland team has reached the semi finals,” he said.
Meanwhile, Er Neikha thanked the organising committee of Subroto Cup 2022 for giving him privilege to hand over the semi-finalist prize and be a part of the event. He also lauded Nagaland team coach and other officials for the good performance at Subroto Cup 2022.
“It was an enriching experience and I consider this as a good platform for an amateur coach like me,” said Nagaland team coach Kechi.
There was a marginal difference in terms of basic tactics and techniques between our state players and players from footballers producing states like Goa, Manipur, etc., he said. Nagas have the potentiality and talent for the game, however, more emphasis should be given from early age to basic football education and more platforms should be provided, he felt.
