Tuensang thrashed Meluri 9-0 despite a red card, Zunheboto beat Noklak 7-0, while Mon edged Dimapur 1-0
UNGMA — Tuensang District Football Association regsitered a commanding 9-0 victory over Meluri despite playing with 10 men for most of the match, while Zunheboto thrashed Noklak 7-0 in the Dr T. Ao Trophy Inter-District Football Championship Silver Jubilee Edition at Renpo Lu Sports Complex, Ungma, Mokokchung, on Wednesday.
Tuensang's attacking display produced the tournament's first hat-trick, with Ayenmongba scoring three times, even after Namang Yimjong was sent off in the 16th minute. In the day's final match, Mon edged past Dimapur 1-0.
Tuensang made an explosive start against Meluri, with Bichumli opening the scoring in the second minute. Ayenmongba doubled the lead in the seventh minute before Relithong struck in the 31st and Ayenmongba added another a minute later to make it 4-0.
The dismissal of Yimjong did little to disrupt Tuensang's momentum. Ayenmongba completed his hat-trick in the 48th minute, while Bongcheli M scored in the 51st. Relithong added his second in the 60th minute before Besuchingmak and Yimtitopong struck in the 64th and 70th minutes respectively to complete the rout.
Meluri had an opportunity to reduce the deficit in the second half, but Akoru's penalty was denied, according to the match report.
Tuensang finished with 75 per cent possession and 17 shots, 15 of them on target. Meluri managed only three shots. Bongcheli and Imti Kumzuk were booked for Tuensang in the 34th and 53rd minutes respectively, in addition to Yimjong's red card.
Zunheboto were equally ruthless against Noklak, winning 7-0 after Atopu struck a first-half hat-trick. He scored in the 12th, 20th and 26th minutes before Pulovi added the fourth in the 34th minute.
Mangholen extended the lead in the 52nd minute, followed by Tohika in the 61st and Ato in the 65th as Zunheboto completed a comfortable victory.
Zunheboto had 65 per cent possession and registered 13 shots, 11 on target. Noklak managed 15 shots, eight on target, but failed to score. Mangholen and Kanavi received yellow cards in the 23rd and 26th minutes respectively.
Mon, meanwhile, secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Dimapur in a closely contested encounter. Eshong Konyak scored the decisive goal in the 56th minute after a goalless first half, giving Mon all three points.
Both sides shared possession, while Mon recorded 14 shots, 11 on target. Dimapur had 13 shots, although the match statistics also listed 16 shots on target for the side. Temsemeren Imsong of Dimapur was booked in the 37th minute.
Thursday's fixtures (October 15)
Niuland vs Chümoukedima — 7.30 am
Phek vs Peren — 10 am
Shamator vs Longleng — 12.30 pm
Kohima vs Tseminyu — 3 pm