North East Dr. T Ao Trophy: Sikkim, Mizoram register win

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Jan. 21 (EMN): Sikkim and Mizoram began their North East Dr. T Ao Trophy campaign on a positive note by winning their respective games on the second day of the ongoing tournament at IG Stadium, Kohima, on Tuesday.

The first half of the match between Sikkim and Assam ended with both the teams failing to score but they entertained the crowd with an attacking game.

After few moments of scuffle in the early minutes, Sikkim got a chance to take the lead but forward Ashish Chettri, who was in front of the goal line, could not convert the clever pass from Sonam Zangpo into a goal.

Then Sikkimese custodian, Urgen Pintso Sherpa, thwarted Assam’s first shot on target by Sonjib Borgohain in the 32nd minute. Few minutes later, Sikkim got a free kick but skipper Don Tshering Lepcha's shot failed to hit the target.

Assam could have scored on two occasions but Sikkim goalkeeper brilliantly saved two long-range efforts from Assamese midfielder Vishal Sunar.

Captain Don Tshering Lepcha scored the all-important goal for Sikkim via a penalty in the 74th minute to win the match and add three points for his side.

Defender Maneswar Mushahary, the captain of Assam, tackled Ashish Chettri inside the box, for which the referee awarded the penalty kick. Lepcha made no mistake from the spot. Assam sent its substitute Bipan Narzary to force an equaliser, but the left post denied his what-could-have-been an unstoppable volley.

Riding on the lone goal of the match, Sikkim held on till the final whistle blew.

Meanwhile in the second match, Mizoram started their campaign with an easy win over their opponents, Meghalaya.

In a one-sided affair, Mizoram netted three goals each in the first and second halves respectively.

Mizoram opened the floodgates in the second minute of the match through Lalchungnunga Chhangte. Then F Lalrinpuia netted the second goal in the 24th minute before its captain Lalrinchhana Tochhawang added the third in the 27th minute.

Mizoram continued to rout Meghalaya in the second half of the match, scoring three more goals. Lalrinpuia netted the fourth goal of the match in the 86th minute, while MS Dawngliana scored the fifth goal in the 89th minute and Malsawmfela scored the sixth goal in the added time.