Dilong and Sangtemla won their respective quarter-final matches against Marepkong and Penli at the Imkongmeren Sports Complex in Mokokchung on day 5 of the 3rd Inter-ward football tournament organised by Marepkong Youth Association with the theme “Towards Excellence.”
Dilong’s forward punishes Marepkong’s uncoordinated defense
The organizing side Marepkong was put under persistent pressure by Dilong attackers in the first quarter final match of the tournament. Marepkong’s goalkeeper Ayimniba and defensive backs, particularly the latter, had a bad day at the office as goalkeeping blunders played a major part in the final result.
Temsuyanger gave his team the lead in the ninth minute with a lofted through ball that found plenty of room inside the net. Ayimniba had no chance of saving the right-footed strike from the bottom left corner.
Takotiba demonstrated his significance to the squad by scoring his side’s second gosal in the 19th minute, ensuring a semi-final berth for Dilong.
Marepkong tested goalkeeper Imtisashi with a succession of long shots when the game restarted after the break, but the goalkeeper was steadfast in collecting the ball.
Sanen of Marepkong came close to scoring, but his effort went over the crossbar. While the organizing team suffered a significant deficit in the first half, the team dominated possession in the second half but struggled to produce clear scoring opportunities.
Sangtemla flies by Penli on their way to the Semis
A majority of spectators chanted A&B during a quarter-final match between neighbouring wards, presumably an el-clasico showcasing the unity existing between the two wards.
In a thrilling match, Sangtemla’s Nungshisashi took the lead in the 49th minute against a Penli team looking for a top-four finish.
Throughout the first half, Penli’s defense displayed class, stopping balls midway from Devraj and Pangjungmeren, the left and right wingers, while continuing several spectacular offences against Sangtemla goalie Temsukokba.
Starting the second half of the game, Sangtemla team coach Imsuwapang Jamir’s advice paid off as the team regained full possession of the ball. Led by an experienced veteran, R.Achi, the team controlled between the front and back lines with perfect synchronization and netted the game’s lone goal in the 49th minute.
TODAY’S QF FIXTURES
Mongsenbai Vs Tongdentsyong – 1:00 PM
Artang Vs Lijaba Lijen – 2:30 PM