Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, OCTOBER 13
Nungsang Ao scored five goals and registered his second hat-trick of the tournament as Khulioh King FC, Tuensang blanked Pro-Streax United, Dimapur 5-1 to enter the final of the 16th NSF Martyrs Memorial Trophy held at Kohima Local Ground.
With the victory, the Tuensang team will now take on defending champions Barak FC, Peren in the final at Khuochiezie on October 15 afternoon. Barak registered their entry into the final after they overcame visiting team Senapati FC, Manipur 2-0 in the first semifinal on Monday.
Khulioh King’s talisman Nungsang Ao was up in the front scoring all the five goals for his team as Pro-Streax United suffered a humiliating defeat.
With the five goals scored today, Nungsang also equaled the leading goal scorer Meren of Pro-Streax United who had ten goals to his credit. However, Nungsang now has the advantage to bag the title of highest scorer as his team still has the final match to play, provided he score.
The effervescent Khulioh King players were up for the match as they dominated the entire proceedings of the second semifinal match.The Tuensang team took the first lead in the 20th minute through the header of Nungsang after a brilliant cross from their skipper T. Shellim from the far right corner.
Pro-Streax United wasted no time in netting the equalizer as their skipper Kito Aye delivered a long range shot in the 31st minute from outside the 18-yard circle, leaving the keeper of Khulioh King with no chance of making the save.
Both the teams exhibited quality football skills and tactics as the first half ended in 1-1 draw.
The second half, however, witnessed a different story as Pro-Streax United found themselves on the receiving end all throughout the remaining 45-minutes play.
Going by the match, the pace of Nungsang toppled the Pro-Streax’s defenders who failed to mark his advancement and penetration.
Much to the jubilation of Khulioh King’s supporters, majority of whom were Eastern Nagas residing in Kohima, Nungsang delivered in the 62nd minute to give his team the lead for the second time in the match. He went on to score his hat-trick goal in the 72nd minute. Nungsang scored his first hat-trick against Katakhrie in the preliminary round where Khulioh King won by 7-1.
Entering the final minutes, the Dimapur team, trailing by two goals, was left with no other option but to push for goals to stay in the game.
However, to push for goals they were made to loosen their defence line and that only added to their disappointment as Nungsang went on to score two more goals.
Just three minutes before the final whistle, Nungsang again got past the keeper in the 87th minute, followed by the fifth goal in the 89thminute.
The last minutes proved disastrous for Pro-Streax United as the final score line ended with 5-1.
The match patron for today’s match was L.L. Doungel, Director General of Police, Nagaland.
The grand finale on October 15 (Thursday) would be graced by Neiba Kronu, Parliamentary Secretary for Planning and Coordination, as the chief guest.
Adding colour to the tournament, the this year’s edition finale will also have the presence of Larcsing M. Sawyan, managing director of Lajong FC, Shillong, as the special guest.
Larsing Sawyan, who will be accompanied by two of his club officials, will also hold a meeting with the interested coaches of the 63 teams, prior before the final match at 12 noon in the ground. This was informed by the organizing committee convenor, Vipopal Kintso.
Other highlights of the closing function includes; prayer by Apostle Rev. Luoliehu Yimsong, while runner-up AIR Northeast singing contest, Visedelhou Terhüja will entertain the gathering with special number.
The convenor further informed that the price of gallery tickets for the final match would be enhanced to Rs. 50. He, however, said that a raffle draw would be arranged with the gallery tickets which will have ten attractive mobile phones for the prizes, including an Android Smart Phone.
