Our Correspondent
Kohima, May 31 (EMN): Unbeaten New Market FC (NMFC) won Kohima Super Cup 2022 after taking down Barak FC 4-0 at Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima on Tuesday.
Dubbed as one of the oldest football clubs in Nagaland, NMFC emerging as the champion did not come as a surprise with other strong other clubs bowing out in the semi-finals. The team had remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, while its opponent Barak FC lost a match against Magdaline FC during the league match.
The 45-year-old NMFC took the lead when Haotinmang Thomsong scored the first goal four minutes into the match. However, the match was halted for a few minutes in between when one of the floodlights went off. Letkhokai Kuki scored the second goal for NMFC in the 23rd minute.
In the second half, Thejasetuo and Nyithong Magh scored a goal each in the 60th and 66th minute to seal the win for NMFC.
Meanwhile, youngsters' favourite Barak FC failed to create any chances throughout the match and ended with zero goals.
NMFC walked home with a cash prize of INR 1, 80,000 along with a trophy and citations, while Barak FC received INR 1, 20,000. The losing semi-finalists -- A Yhome FC and G-Sports FC -- received INR 30,000 each.
Earlier, Chairman of Nagaland Building and Other Construction Workers Dr. Kekhrielhoulie Yhome attended the closing ceremony.
A total of 20 best players from the Kohima Super Cup 2022 have been selected to represent the organiser of the tournament, Kohima Town Club (KTC) XI, for an exhibition match against a team of Indian Super League (ISL) players from Manipur on June 4, 5:30 pm at Indira Gandhi Stadium. The match will be powered by the Kohima Forest Division.
In view of the World Environment Day, which falls on June 5, the Kohima Forest Division will be distributing tree saplings to spectators donning any green outfit during the match.
In individual wards, player of the tournament went to Haotinmang Thomsong (NMFC), best midfielder to Asito Krose (G-Sports FC), best defender to Sumit Marak (A Yhome FC), golden glove to Dziesengulie Kire (Barak FC), golden boot to Toka Achumi of Aphuyemi FC and Nyithong Magh of NMFC with nine goals each, most promising player to Vinato Achumi (Aphuyemi FC), best coach to Stephen Rutsa (NMFC), best referee to Micheal Dul and best fans to NMFC.