Kohima, June 26 (EMN): North Field and Model Higher Secondary School (MHSS) won their respective matches and entered the second round of the ongoing 1st Kohima District Inter-School Football tournament here at Kohima local ground on Monday. The tournament is being jointly organised by Royal Club Kohima and School Education department.
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North Field (grey) and Vinyiizo School (black) players vying for the ball during their match at Kohima local ground on Monday.[/caption]
North Field defeated Vinyiizo School by 1-0 goal in the inaugural match. With the win, the team will face Mount Sinai HSS in the second round on June 30.
Playing the 70 minute match on a rain-soaked ground, North Field team posed the threat of counter attacks and superior ball possession, however, they were unable to find the net, while Vinyuzo School failed to breach the defensive line in the first half.
North Field team pressed harder for the winner in the second half and in the 65th minute they found the net through Ruokuonguzo to bring much relief to the team as they held on till the last minute to win the match.
While Model HSS defeated Mezhur HSS by 3-2 goals and will lock horns with Minister Hill Baptist HSS on June 30 in the second round.
In an exciting encounter between Model and Mezhur team, Model HSS created much of the better chance to find the net but wasted most of their opportunities. In the 20th minute, Model HSS player went one on one with the keeper but shot directly to the goalie. In the midst of the counter attacks, Mezhur broke the deadlock through Chumbemo in the 34th minute. However, Model HSS equalised through Omwang in the extra time.
The second half saw Model HSS with their counter attack again and through Atong, the team found the net in the 52nd minute and Omwang doubled his tally six minutes later to make it 3-1. Even though Mezhur scored another goal through Khriesa in the extra minute time, it was too late as the match ended 3-2 in favour of Model HSS.
Earlier Yitachu, Minister for School Education and SCERT gracing the occasion as the chief guest lauded the organising team for the initiative. He said that football is one game that can encourage the youngsters to go to higher level and opined that the state has a good scope in football. Encouraging the players, he said the tournament will help them to get to know one another and create friendship among the teams.
During the inaugural ceremony, two minutes of silence was observed in memory of late Neisatuo Keditsu and late Shiirho-o Solo who were active members of Royal Club Kohima. Oathtaking was led by Kepelhoutuo Nakhro, secretary, organising committee. Altogether two government schools and twenty-two private schools from Kohima district are taking part in the tournament.
