Principal Correspondent
Kohima, October 24
In the clash of the titans for the 15th NSF Martyrs’ memorial Trophy will witness two strongest contenders - runners-up of last year’s edition Naga United Club Kohima and champions of the recently concluded Classic Cup Barak Football Club Peren.
The final match will be played at 1:30 pm under the theme “Goal for Peace” at Kohima Local Ground on Saturday with State Home Minister, Y Patton as the guest of honour.
Both the teams are equally competent with professional set-up and swift combination of the forward and strikers combined with strong defence line to hold back the attackers.The route to final for both the teams are as follows:
Naga United Club:
Defeated United P.K. Football Club Viswema by 2-0 in the inaugural match then humiliated Headwinds FC by 8-0 in the second round. They blanked Kicker’s FC by 3 goals in the pre-quarters while overcoming strong contenders HQ.IGAR (North) by 2-1 in the quarter-final match and then finding the final berth sending back former champs Tangkhul Students’ Union by 1-0 in the semi-final. In the five matches, NUC scored 16 goals conceding just one.
Players to be watch are mid-fielder Velukho Chakhesang (11), who makes sudden long range target attempt support by Kezhoe Angami (10) in the striker with swift running to take over the long range passes while Keneisedelie Angami (8) not only remains as mid-fielder but also plays as defence and striker. They have the advantage of previously best custodian Vekuto Chakhesang.
Barak FC, Peren:
Comfortably knocked Alianza FC, Kohima by 4-0 in the first round, blanked Orion FC, Kohima by 2-0 in second round then had a close shave win over Meriema Village Students’ Union in the pre-quarters but won by 2-1. In the quarter final they blanked Tiema-Khe, Kidima by 3-0 while in the also comprehensively booked the final berth by knocking a nervous MT Youth Club by 4-1 in the semi-final. In the five matches they have scored 15 goals while conceding two.
Players to be watched are mid-fielder Ratobe (10), who despite being short statured is swift in controlling the ball and surpassing the defence line. He also gets the support of skipper Tingyek Konyak (8). Here too, the custodian Peisuidibe Solo has been a former best goal-keeper.
Unfortunately, Barak FC squad for the final match will be missing defender Sanyem Salym (2), who had been adjudged the player of the tournament of the Classic Cup 2014. He has had two yellow cards in this tournament and will have to abstain from the final match. Though a defender, Sanyem used to move ahead and also moving into the rival danger zone and managing to contribute goals for the team.
The clash between the two teams will be interesting and worth watching as players from both sides have been competing in various tournaments as friends of the same club or sometimes as rivals and by now they know each other’s footballing skills.
RECORDS:
The records of the tournament so far is as follows: 59 matches has been played in 19 days with fastest goal scored by Neiphrezolie Usou of Mereima VSU in 27 seconds. A total of 230 goals have been scored while 87 players cautioned with yellow cards and six players penalized with red card.
Demo of HQ IGAR(N) is the highest goal scorer of the tournament with 10 goals, including double hat-trick in single match.
It is worth mentioning that the champions of this tourney will dribble past with cash award of Rs.1,60, 0000 with trophy and citation while runners-up would receive Rs.1,00,000 with trophy and citations. Losing semi-finalist received Rs.20,000 each while losing quarter finalist bagged Rs.10,000 each.
There are also individual awards in the categories of Best defender, Best Midfielder, Best Goal Keeper, Best striker, Highest scorer and Player of the Tournament.
Thousands of football fans thronged the Kohima Local Ground tonight to witness the first ever night exhibition match in the football history of Nagaland.
Even as the halogen lights set up by the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) organizers of the 15th NSF Martyrs’ Memorial Trophy with the support of State Power Department, were not as bright as the regular flush lit in major stadiums, the football fans seemed to have enjoyed the night play as they roared upto cheers and thunderous applause with the start of match.
It was the Management XI team comprising of Kigwema Students’ Union & Kohima Village Students’ Union taking on the Organizing Committee XI of the tourney. Management XI defeated Organiser XI.
