Our Correspondent
Mokokchung, April 28 (EMN): Dimapur District Football Association will clash against Mon District Football Association today in the final of the ongoing 22nd edition of Dr. T Ao Inter-District Football Championship Trophy 2022 at Imkongmeren Sports complex Mokokchung.
The final match will witness the friendly rivalry between former academy colleagues, Tingnyek (Ating) Konyak and Kivi Zhimomi. Both players are wearing the captain armband for Mon and Dimapur respectively.
The duo have played together since their academy days at Dimapur. Konyak and Zhimomi, perhaps formed the best known midfield partnership in their prime time. The duo have played together in local tournaments, and were even signed by the Shillong-based club, Rangdajied United FC.
However, Zhimomi went on to play in the I-league, while Konyak went back to Nagaland. Zhimomi went on to sign with Northeast United as Konyak grappled with injury.
However, Konyak is back in form, leading his team to the final of the tournament against all odds.
Konyak said "I've been nervous about leading the team where the players have never played together as a team, but with how our performance has been throughout the tournament, I trust my team. If we continue to maintain the consistency and put in a little more effort, we can hopefully win the title".
Speaking about Zhimomi, his former teammate, Konyak described him as an excellent player and added that it would be an honour to play against his team.
On team preparation for the final, he said the team has given their best in all the matches and hoped to do the same even in the final.
While expressing his excitement about the supporting fans, he hoped that the team can bring them as much joy and pride through their final match.
Kivi Zhimomi, former Northeast United player and now Gokulam FC player, in an interaction, said that he was ‘very excited’ for the final and believed that his team can do it by giving everything to make history.
On Ating Konyak, he expressed his excitement meeting him in the finals and added that playing against him will be difficult for his team as 'he was the best midfielder in Nagaland in his prime' and wished him all the best for the final match.
On their preparation for the finals, he said the team will go all out with no excuses and will fight till the end of the final whistle blow. As a captain, he said that he has to be an example so he will give his everything for the final match and believed that his team will play as one team, one heart and leave the rest to God.
Dimapur has scored eight goals in five matches, Kakhevi Assumi is the leading scorer of the team with three goals. They are yet to concede a goal in the tournament.
Dimapur beat the likes of Niuland and Peren in quarterfinals and semis to enter the final of the tournament.
Mon have scored 12 goals with Laiwang Bohamm Konyak and Shamba Samson Konyak scoring three goals each. Mon defeated the defending champion Phek, Tseminyu in quarterfinals and semis of the tournament to reach the finals.
Meanwhile, an exhibition match was also played between the Organising Committee and NFA Technical Team on Thursday. NFA team defeated the Organising Committee 4-2 during the match.
Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio will attend the closing ceremony from 12 pm onwards at Imkongmeren Sports Complex, Mokokchung on Friday.