Our Correspondent
MOKOKCHUNG, OCTOBER 21
Thought they are new entrant in the tournament, Dilong Youth Association (DYA) found its savior in through the boots of Victor. The young midfielder Victor scored the lone match-winning goal in the 13rd minutes and defeated the Shooting Starz F/C at last quarter final match of the XXI MDFA trophy at Imkongmeren Sport Complex on Wednesday.
Perhaps, the match between DYA and Starz FC was one of the most competitive quarterfinal matches at the tournament. The match attracting hundreds of spectators, the devoted Dilong crowed cheered its team with great fervor; some were seen wearing the team’s jersey. Today’s match was witnessed by Mokokchung Addl. SP, Yanrenthung as the Match Patron.
Both teams started warily, not really going for the kill and concentrated more on keeping their citadels intact. The tactics employed by both teams saw a barren, though there were some good moves initiated by either side.
However, the deadlock was broken, when Victor’s first match and goal, in the tournament, came shortly after Dilong striker Limakumzuk (jersey no 9) was tackled down inappropriately near the left corner by the Shooting Starz defense. A free kick given to the Dilong was taken by its midfielder Victor (jersey no 4) from just above the D-Box of the left corner at the 13th minute. The shot flew over the Shooting Starz defense wall landing in a perfect angle were the Starz goalkeeper couldn’t do nothing to prevent it.
The Shooting Starz FC counterattacked with strong determination to equalize the goal with coordinated passes but they were strongly checked by the Dilong defenders. The Dilong goalkeeper Nungsangyanger also made some serious saves from on target shots by the opponent.
However, with no close to equalize from the Starz lemon break was taken.
In the second half, Shooting Starz adopted a more aggressive attacking approach and started making inroads into the territory of the Dilong team time and again.
The Starz best chance for equalizing goal came soon when a penalty kick was given by the referee after their striker Temjenmeren (jersey no 7) was tackled down inside the D-Box. Dilong’s defender Emsulong (jersey no 19) received a yellow. Starz striker, Nenshalou (jersey no 9) took the penalty but off target, thereby missing their golden chance to equalizing the score.
The Starz did not lose their tempo and continued their attacks relentlessly. The attacking ploy adopted by Starz handed them another chance in the 69th minute, when Dilong’s midfielder Alumai (jersey number 2) was awarded a yellow card for unsporting behavior. Levio (jersey no 8), took the free kick from just above the D-box but the Starz players could not found the goal mouth. At the end the match ended with 1-0 in favor of Dilong Y/D.
The winner of today’s match, Dilong Y/D will face the defending Champion Fusion F/C in second semi final match on October 23, 2015.
