Defending champs Naga FC advances to quarterfinal
Vanguard FC, Naga Terriers and Green Club enter round of last eight
Kohima, Sep. 16 (EMN): Defending champions Naga FC came from behind to beat Nerhema FC 3-2 at the ongoing Captain Kenguruse Memorial Football Tournament here at Kohima local ground.
When the match was equally poised at 2-2 during the second half, Kekhriesetuo Tsirah scored a controversial goal in the 57th minute to send back home Nerhema FC from the knock-out tournament.
With the victory, Naga FC registered their entry into the quarterfinal where they will take on Tizit Tornadoes in the round of last eight on Monday (September 18).
Petevizo Kezieo, who scored a hat-trick scorer for Nerhema FC in the previous match, was again on target as he drew the first blood for his team in the 3rd minute. Naga FC came back strong by scoring the equaliser through their centre forward Khwetelhi Thopi in the 11th minute, who also went on to score the second goal in the 32nd minute to end the first half 2-1.
Moving into the second half, Nerhema FC levelled the score through Kakhevi in the 52nd minute. However, the celebration was short lived as Kekhriesetuo Tsirah scored to give his team the much needed goal which in the end was enough to take them to the round of last eight.
Earlier, playing the first match at Kohima local ground, Vanguard FC eased into the quarters with their victory against Tuli United FC 4-1.
The first half ended in a goalless draw, but a rejuvenated Vanguard FC came back strong to dominate the second half.
Yhunshalo Kemp scored the first goal for Vanguard in the 47th minute, while Chaba Chang netted the second in the 59th minute.
Tuli United came back to the game when Imlimeren scored in the 77th minute to make it 2-1, but the Vanguard FC made it sure that the match was in their control as they went on to score two more goals.
Yhunshalo Kemp was again on target in the 80th minute, and two minutes later Sinlo scored the fourth for Vanguard FC during the additional time to make it 4-1. Vanguard will play against Friends United FC in the quarters.
Playing the first match at Tsiese Basa, Naga Terriers again proved their dominance as one of the favourite title contenders with their convincing victory against One Ten FC 4-0.
Naga Terriers were up to the mark from the first whistle as Chubatemjen gave them an early lead in the 9th minute, while Chingkamlong doubled the margin in the 39th minute. To make it worse for One Ten FC, Y Khekiho Chishi scored the third for Naga Terriers in the 44th minute and also scored the fifth in the 62nd minute.
In the second match at Tsiese Basa, Green Club came from behind to defeat YA Merangkong 3-1 and made it through to the round of last eight where they will play against Laimcishm FC. Lithung first scored for YA Merangkong, however Tova produced the equaliser for Green Club in the 38th minute.
Just when the match was heading for a tie inside the allotted time, Kimiyeto gave Green Club the lead by scoring in the 80th minute, and also netted the third during the additional time to end the match 3-1.
Quarterfinal fixture (Monday)
Kohima local ground
Vanguard FC vs Friends United FC at 8 a.m
Naga FC vs Tizit Tornadoes at 10.30 a.m
Tsiese Basa ground
Naga Terriers vs Medziphema United at 8 a.m
Green Club vs Laimcishm FC at 1.30 a.m
