Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, OCTOBER 5
Top contenders Barak FC, Peren and Khulioh King, Tuensang made it to the quarterfinal of the ongoing NSF Martyrs Memorial Trophy, but not before they were given a scare.
Playing the first match of the pre-quarterfinal, Khulioh King took the match till the final minute to make the breakthrough as their centre forward Ratobe N. scored in the 70th minute against Tribal FC, Kohima to end the match 1-0.
The match was equally poised and seemed to be heading for a tie-break until Ratobe got past the keeper just before the additional time of the 70-minutes match. As was witnessed at Khuochiezie, the penultimate goal led to huge celebration by the players and supporters of Khulioh King, who are considered one of the favorite contenders along with Barak FC, New Market XI and Senapati FC, Manipur.The Tribal FC players, who were no lesser, will regret for not capitalizing the opportunities that came their way.
In the second match, defending champions Barak FC were also given a scare as they went on till the 63rd minute to make the breakthrough against Country Boys FC who gave them a hard task in the field.
After numerous unsuccessful attempts, Barak centre forward Nzauhutbo Nbung finally delivered for his team just seven minutes before the final whistle. Barak’s much needed goal came when Nzauhutbo received a fine clearance from his skipper and playmaker Tingyek Konyak.
Barak FC were left to be contended with the solitary goal as their opponents Country Boys exhibited quality football, much to the taste of the Khuochiezie crowd. Going by their standards, the defending champions would not have imagined for a tie-break which could have gone either way.
Barak FC had majority of the ball possession and dominated the match, however, the failure to make successful penetration led to their frustration in the second half. Had Country Boys capitalized their scoring chances, they would have had the upper hand in the match to make it to the quarterfinal.
Though the Country Boys gave the Barak players a tough job to do, they lacked the scoring touches which led to their disadvantage. As was seen, they (Country Boys) should have taken the lead in the first few minutes of the match, but one would have concluded that the lack of quality finish hampered their progress to the next round. After the last defender of Barak FC misjudged the ball, the right forward of Country Boys FC came in direct contact with the goalkeeper, which he missed.
Entering the pre-quarters of the ongoing NSF Martyrs Memorial Trophy, day-17 (today) also had the biggest crowd of this year’s edition as football lovers and soccer aficionados assembled at Khuochiezie in big number to witness the performance of two contenders.
The tickets were worth its price as the spectators witnessed quality and competitive football in both the matches.
