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Neikethozo of Ziekezou SC (in orange) vies for the ball with Ruokuovolie of Khriekesa FC during their league match at the Kohima local ground on Friday. (EM Images)[/caption]
Kohima, July 27 (EMN): Khriekesa FC came from behind to snatch a 2-2 draw against Ziekezou Sporting Club at the Kohima local ground on Friday.
Playing in the second edition of the Kohima Football League organised by Kohima Town Club, Ziekezou SC were denied three points as second half goals from Ruokuovolie Phewhuo and Vimelie helped Khriekesa FC to snatch a point during the encounter.
Ziekezou SC could have topped the table with a win but blunders in the second half pushed them down below Sechu Zubza in the point table tally. After the end of round three, Sechu Zubza lead the table with 7 points (+4 goal difference) and a match in hand, while Ziekezou in second with 7 points in four matches (+2 goal difference).
In the match, Ziekezou SC started the match brightly and took the deserving lead in the first half through Neikethozo Yhome. He scored a stunner from a long range kick as the ball went pass the keeper into the net in the 12th minute.
Ratobe N Poireng with his cool finishing scored the second goal in the 36th minute after his teammate latches a through ball for him to curl his shot into the net.
Khriekesa FC looked shaky in defense as they conceded twice in the first half while also failed to register a single shot on target.
In the second half, it was all Khriekesa side that got back into the game with counter attacks and better ball possession. The team broke the deadlock through Ruokuovolie Phewhuo. After a handball inside the D box area gifted them the opportunity to score and Phewhuo converted the spot kick.
The goal rejuvenated the Khriekesa FC side as they renewed their belief; Vimelie restored the parity as he scored the equalising goal in the 63rd minute for Khriekesa FC.
Ziekezou SC tried their way to find the winning goal and should have taken the lead as Neikethozo volleyed a long pass into the box for Ratobe to score but his shot went off the target.
Khriekesa also got their chance through Velukho Rhakho from a long range kick but a alerted goalkeeper Sedekhotuo Sote pushed it away for corner in the 80th minute.
Ziekezou SC player Nipato was then sent off for an intentional handball in the dying minutes. Khrukhoto Resu’s shot was also inches away from giving Ziekezou the lead again in the extra time but that was all as the match ended in a stalemate.
Saturday's matches
1st match Vanguard FC vs Sechü Zubza at 12 pm
2nd match New Market vs United 16 at 2 pm