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Players of Vanguard FC (green) and Ziekezou SC in action during their league match at the Kohima local ground on Wednesday. (EM Images)[/caption]
Kohima, July 25 (EMN): Vanguard FC came from behind to beat league leaders Ziekezou SC 4-2 during their league match at the ongoing 2nd Kohima Football League at the Kohima local ground on Wednesday.
Despite the defeat, Ziekezou SC remained at the top of the table temporarily with six points on better goal difference. Should Sechu Subza win on Thursday, the team will move above the league leaders at the top. While Vanguard with the win has four points and moved to the fourth position of the league.
In the match, Ziekezou SC opened their account through Alex Lhouviphrelie in the 12th minute and added the second goal again in the 23rd minute.
However a lacklustre game from Ziekezou SC handed Vanguard FC Tseminyu the first goal in the 24th minute through skipper Yhunshalo Kemp and added his second goal two minutes later to equalise the scoreline.
Mathew Kezhose came to rescue for Vanguard FC in the second half as he scored a stunner in the 62nd minute and scored his second goal a minute later to give Vanguard team the lead. Ziekezou SC failed to seize the opportunities that came their way and had to accept a defeat at the end of the match.
10-man Twenty XI FC hold on for a win
10-man Twenty XI FC narrowly defeated United 16 FC 2-1 in the second match to take the three points of the league match.
Viho’s red card in the 80th minute gifted the opportunity for United 16 to find their equaliser but the lacklustre game from their side handed Twenty XI a win as they defended the score to register their second win in the league.
With the win, Twenty XI moved up second place temporarily with six points in the league table. United XI slumped to the bottom of the table with a point in three matches.
Twenty XI FC were a better half in the first half but couldn't find the rhythm to score as they wasted numerous occasions to score.
While the best chance for United 16 came through Longkhoi but headed the ball off the target in the 23th minute.
Twenty XI also got the chance to score but midfielder Apoto Rhetso shot was blocked away by the keeper P Angki Konyak in the 45th minute to end the first half in a stalemate.
The second half, Twenty XI regained the momentum as Kelengoto James Kechu scored a stunner in the 54 minute to give the deserving lead.
Kechu than assisted the skipper Metol Neikha to score for Twenty XI to double the lead.
Angki Konyak did save another goal for United XI as skipper Metol shot was parried away in 71 minute to keep the team alive. Substitute Tianuksung made an immediate impact as he headed home a goal in the 75th minute from a corner kick to give back a lifeline.
United 16 were given another opportunity as the referee awarded the first red card of the tournament to Viho for unsporting behaviour. But the team failed to score in the remaining minutes as Twenty XI held on for a win.
SechüZubza vs New Market FC at 2 pm
Imli Merenla Jamir became the first women referee to officiate in a match at the ongoing second edition of the Kohima Football League and also became one of the first to officiate a football match in Nagaland’s history on Wednesday.
She was an assistant referee during the match played between Twenty XI FC and United 16 FC. Joy Chandra, an AIFF referee instructor officiated as the main referee for the first time while was supported by Micheal Dul and Imli Merenla Jamir as assistant referee with Priyo as the fourth official.
Merenla was also the fourth official on July 27 during the match between Khriekesa FC and New Market FC.
