Principal Correspondent
Kohima, October 23
The leading football club in the state, Barak FC Peren today stormed into the final of the ongoing student martyrs’ memorial soccer tournament organized by Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) under the theme ‘Goal for Pace’ at Kohima Local Ground. Playing a totally lopsided second semi-final of the tournament, reigning champs of recently concluded Classic Cup, Barak FC took control of the game from the beginning to thrash MT Youth Club by 4-1.
MT Youth Club made a defensive and nervous start with almost eight of their players remaining within their zone, which gave Barak FC to keep take control of the ball and make some quick attack with defender Sanyem Salym (2) moving into the rival D’box easily scored the first goal in the eight minute.
In the 12th minute, striker Nyinthung (11) made a solo effort and finally passed the ball for Ratobe (10), but his strike barely missed the second post. The 23rd minute witnessed referee Lhousavotuo penalizing Sanyem for consuming time while taking a throw in. An exciting moment came in the 25th minute skipper Tingyek Konyak (8) took a power shot from outside the D’box off Nyinthung pass but his shot rebounded from the cross bar while the resultant shot from Tepongmeren (15) went wide off mark while in the 27th minute Tingyek managed to strike a goal but the assistant referee disallowed it as offside.
In 29th minute, it was MT Youth Club goal-keeper Ikiho Assumi making an excellent timing to fist away a sure goal header from Tepongmeren off Nyinthung’s pass. Referee cautioned Ratobe for unsporting behavior in 37th minute. Two minutes injury added time of the first half, brought an opportune moment for MT Youth Club, which was also their first attack, but Hunato Awomi failed to materialize a long pass from Kevisato Chadi into the Barak danger zone and they continued to trail conceding the solitary goal till the first half.
MT Youth Club took on to offensive play in the breather half and tried to recover the first half lost. In the 53rd minute Hoinato Ayemi and Kato Ayemi combined to make it for Aka Sumi, but his shot went behind for a goal kick. A minute later custodian Ikiho excellently thwarted a powerful grounder attempt from Ratobe. But disappointingly, 55th minute witnessed a suicide goal committed by MT Youth Club defender Atoka Sumi while trying to control a long range centre pass by rival Barak midfielder Lemrai Zeliang.
Four minutes later MT Youth paced into the D’box with Akavi passing the ball to Kato, who tried to flick over Barak custodian Peisuidibe Solo, but failed. Thereafter the third goal came in from skipper Tingyek when he struck a rebound from Ikiho in the 69th minute while a minute later it was Tepongmeren making solo effort in scoring the fourth goal for Barak FC.
The only face saver for MT Youth Club came in through Kato Ayemi in the 74th minute while they received cash award of Rs 20,000 as the loosing semi-finalist.
MLA from Manipur, L. Dikho witnessed the second semi-final as match patron.
Date: October 25
Time: 1:30 pm
Naga United Club
vs
Barak Football Club
