In one of the tournament’s defining encounters, Hivika’s stoppage-time strike handed Niuland a thrilling 3-2 victory over defending champions Tuensang in the penultimate Group A match on August 9.
Tuensang came into the match as table-toppers with 7 points and needed only a draw to seal their place in the quarterfinals. Niuland made a strong start, with Kakhevi finding the net in the 15th minute, calmly slotting home to give his side early control. Toka doubled the lead in the 38th minute with a strike from the edge of the D-box, putting Tuensang under pressure. The champions responded swiftly, with Ayemnongba reducing the deficit in the 43rd minute with a touch-and-go shot from the D-box, becoming the tournament’s top scorer with 8 goals.
The drama intensified in the 51st minute when Niuland’s Torito turned the ball into his own net, bringing the score to 2-2. Both sides pushed for the winner, with every challenge, pass, and shot carrying the weight of qualification hopes.
The decisive moment arrived in the 70’+6 minute. Hivika collected the ball on the left edge of the box and unleashed a right-footed screamer past the goalkeeper, the final kick of the match, silencing Tuensang’s celebrations and sending Niuland from the brink of elimination into the quarterfinals.
Niuland now lead Group A with 9 points from 4 games, while Tuensang remain on 7 points alongside Mon. Tuensang’s qualification hopes rest on the unlikely scenario of Mon losing to Shamator in the group’s final match later today. Mon need only a draw to progress as runners-up but will leapfrog Niuland with 10 points if they win. A Shamator upset would see Tuensang qualify ahead of Mon on goal difference.
