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Champions of the MDFA Trophy 2018 Intermingle Club celebrate after the final match at the Imkongmeren Sports Complex in Mokokchung, on Sat. Oct. 27. Tongpang Ozukum and MDFA officials are also seen in the photograph. (EM Images)[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Mokokchung, Oct. 27 (EMN): A persistent Intermingle Club today outgunned the gritty defending Champion Zonipang Sporting Association to lift the MDFA Trophy 2018 at the Imkongmeren Sports Complex, in Mokokchung on Sat. Oct. 27.
Intermingle, who in perfect team set-up produced yet another display of attacking football to blank Zonipang 1-0. Strong offence and defence was what marked the game as Intermingle thwarted several inroads from Zonipang and engineering counterattacks taking advantage of breaches in the defense line.
The match witnessed a vigorous match between the two finalists. The packed Imkongmeren Sports Complex was filled with supporters from both teams. The applause from both the team supporters was deafening as they made their attempts at the goal.
But, as fate would have it, Opanglemzung produced a spectacular header in the last 44th minutes. The lone goal was the winning goal for Intermingle to lift the coveted trophy for the first time since they started participating in the trophy.
Zonipang also got some golden opportunity but failed to capitalise till the last whistle. After Sakutemjen of Intermingle was expelled from the field in the 90th minutes for receiving double yellow cards three minutes extra time was given but Zonipang could not equalise the score in that stipulated time.
Sakutemjen was cautioned yellow in the 55th minutes for tackling down a Zonipang player and another yellow in the last minutes of the second half. Another player from Intermingle Lipoksashi Jamir was also cautioned with a yellow card.
Three more players from Zonipang- Suponglemba, Alemmatsung and Keto also received the yellow card.
The champions received a cash prize of INR 2 lakh along with the prestigious trophy and certificates. The runners-up received INR 1 lakh plus certificates.
Earlier, the final match was graced by Tongpang Ozukum, Minister PWD as the chief match patron. He lauded the MDFA for their selfless dedication in organising the trophy for more than 25 years to promote football players in the district as well as in the state.
He also urged the referees to maintain fair judgement in the field without any favouritism or partiality and to players to appeal them to upload the oath they have taken and give their best performance in the field.
To the spectators, the minister urged them to restrain themselves from confronting with the officials which ruined the best part of the game.
He urged the MDFA to look toward the wider horizon in organizing the tourney and urged the people to contribute towards organizing a bigger event in the district.
Yhunshalo of Intermingle Club (17 goals)
Sujimong of Zonipang S/A
Molungsungit of Telongjem F/C
Suponglemba of Zonipang SA
Imnatoshi R Jamir of Kumlong S/A
Young Boys F/C
