Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, NOVEMBER 19
Classic Club downed Kohima Press Club (KPC) via tie-break to emerge as the champions of the Challenger Cup 2015.
Playing an exciting match this afternoon at Khuochezie, Classic Club came from behind twice to level the score, thereby taking the match to the tie-break, wherein they emerged victorious.
KPC made an early breakthrough in the first half after Ketu Viluo got past the Classic Club keeper Neiphrezo Keditsu. Within no time, KPC took the second lead through Neibu Sechü to take the score line to 2-0.
Trailing behind, Classic Club fought back determinedly to level the score. Substitution of players worked well for them as senior players were replaced by young guns who kept troubling the KPC defence line.
It was their (Classic Club) skipper Neibou Sekhose who netted the first goal. Much to the jubilation of Classic Club, Chotisuh Sazo, Speaker of Nagaland Legislative Assembly, scored the equalizer.
Just before the interval, Narain Sagar gave KPC the third lead with a fine volley which the keeper Neiphrezo Keditsu failed to judge.Entering the second half, KPC were way ahead again as Nchum Odyuo scored from the 18 yards circle making it 4-2.
Entering the last quarter of the 80-minutes match, a rejuvenated Classic Club went all out to stay in the game. They scored two quick successive goals thanks to Mhaler who scored both the goals.
Mhaler, who also received the highest scorer award, scored his first goal with a successful penetration at the inner D-box, while he netted the equalizer in the final 10 minutes.
Going by the second half performance, KPC were on the receiving end, but it was the exceptional performance of their goalkeeper H. Chishi who saved them number of times.
Moving into the tie-break, the KPC were made to concede the defeat as three of their spot kick takers missed the target, as against Classic club who only missed two.
The winners Classic Club walked home richer with Rs. 20,000, along with trophy and citations, while KPC also received Rs. 10,000 and citations.
