Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, NOVEMBER 28
Director General of Police (DGP) XI blanked Mokokchung District Football Association (MDFA) 9-1 to enter the final of the ongoing Captain Kenguruse Memorial Football Tournament held at Kohima Local Ground.
Playing the first semifinal, the MDFA were on the receiving end throughout the 90-minutes match as they were knocked out of the tournament with a humiliating defeat.
Hat-trick scorer Saku led from the front as the DGP XI dominated the entire proceeding of the match.
It was Saku who made the breakthrough in the 15th minute, followed by another quick goal by their defender Yanger in the 17th minute.
DGP XI striker Lima went on to score the third goal for his team in the 40th minute to take the score line to 3-0 till the end the first half.
Trailing three behind, MDFA entered the second half with a rejuvenated spirit. Just 6 minutes into the second half, MDFA minimized the score-line after Yanger got past the keeper in the 51st minute.
MDFA’s celebration was short lived as DGP’s Lipok went on to score the fourth goal in the 55th minute, followed by Lima with his second goal in the 60th minute. All out to humiliate their opponents, the DGP XI maintained no complacency as they went on to score more goals. Indeed the second half witnessed raining goals.
Saku was rewarded with his second goal in the 64th minute after he delivered a brilliant shot. Joining the celebration, Roko also scored in the 66th minute. Moving into the last quarter of the match, it was more celebration time for Saku as he scored his hat-trick goal in the 69th minute. The MDFA players were left disappointed and embarrassed as Roko again got past the keeper in the 70th minute to make it 9-1.
The match became almost a one-sided affair as the MDFA were no where in a position to give a fight against the robust Nagaland police team.
In the second semifinal, Naga FC also eased their way into the final after their victory against 164 TA Head Hunters of Naga Regiment by 3-0 thanks to Khwetelhi Thopi who scored double.
Naga FC were on the move from the very first minute as Rhitsho Mero delivered in the 11th minute to give his team the lead.
Khwetelhi Thopi joined the goal scoring list in the very next minute as he found the net in the 12th minute to take the score line to 2-0 to end first half.
Entering the second half, Khwetelhi Thopi delivered again as he scored in the 55th minute. Going by the match performance, Naga FC were more composed as compared to their opponents.
The Head Hunters will only have to blame themselves for not capitalizing the opportunities that came their way. It was in the 73rd minute, the Head Hunters were rewarded with a penalty, but the Naga FC’s keeper blocked the spot kick taken by Hoatinmang.
As if it was not his day, Hoatinmang also came in direct contact with the rival’s keeper in the additional minutes of the match, but he missed the golden opportunity. The flipping ball from Khuanjam was wasted as Hoatinmang hit the ball straight to the keeper.
The DGP XI will take on Naga FC in the final on November 30 at 1 pm.
