Rising Star Mizoram beat Asufu CI 2-1 in opener
Our Correspondent
Kohima, Sep. 22 (EMN): Rising Star Mizoram overpowered Asufu Christian Institute (ASI) Manipur 2-1 to win the inaugural match of the 19th NSF Martyrs’ memorial trophy organised by the Angami Students’ Union on Saturday.
Playing an 80 minute match, Rising Star started the match brightly and took the lead in the 3rd minute from a spot kick conversion for a foul inside the area. Rising star striker Byrain took the penalty and cooly converted the goal to give his team an early lead.
Satminson, the winger of Mizoram team was culpable for not scoring despite the opportunities that came his way in the first half. While ASI team failed to make much impact in the first half as they nervously defended the score.
In the second half, the much improved side ASI got back the equaliser in the 52nd minute through Manio as his teammate Nenio Charakho latches a long cross inside the area for him to head the goal into the net.
But the goal was cut short eight minutes later as Fiat Khongsai seized the opportunity to thump home from the defensive lapses to score the second goal in the 58th minute. Rojit Sing, the goalkeeper of Rising Star pulled a stunning save in the second half.
Asefu failed to threaten in front as Rising Star took the opportunity to dominate the game with the ball possession and held on till the final whistle to win the match and enter the next round.
With the win, Rising Star will now take on Khrietho FC Zhadima in the next round on October 1.
Earlier PWD minister Tongpang Ozukum attending the inaugural function as special invitee lauded the ASU for successfully hosting the 19th edition of the NSF trophy and also keeping alive the tournament for 32 years since 1986.
He said the tournament is with a cause and purpose, and that the tournament will keep the memory of our martyrs’ alive and further appealed to ASU to continue to take initiative despite other priorities as a students’ organisation.
“NSF Martyrs’ Memorial Trophy is one of the oldest, most consistent and reputed football tournaments in Nagaland. It is a tournament to promote young talents, it is a tournament to bring unity within the people of Nagaland and outside, to show that we care about our martyrs’; it is a tournament to say no to violence against innocent students as well as mankind, it is indeed a tournament to bring peace in our society” said the former president of NSF.
“We are all destined to die but our martyrs’ Li Kekoujali and Lt. Vikhozo have boldly chosen to die as a martyr which has gone down into history of the students’ community under the aegis of Naga Students’ Federation. We honour their sacrifice,” he said.
While acknowledging the participating team, he also extend his appreciation to the teams from Manipur and Mizoram that their participation has added more flavor to the tournament and portrayed a positive image of the state among the sports fraternity of the country.
He called upon the match officials to display professionalism keeping in mind the purpose of this tournament so that other state can come to participate in this tournament.
47 teams from Kohima, Dimapur, Zunheboto, Phek, Mizoram, and Manipur will be fighting for the coveted champion title, which will go on till October 20.
Monday’s matches
Thurutsuswumi SU (Phek) vs Friends United New Market at 12 pm
Kohima Science College vs Lower Jail Youth Organisation
