Goalkeeper Imtikumzuk redeemed himself by saving two penalties as Tuensang defeated Zunheboto 4-3 in a shootout following a 1-1 draw after extra time to book their place in the final of the 25th Dr T Ao Inter-District Football Championship, Silver Jubilee Edition, at Renpo Lu Astro Turf, Ungma, on Tuesday.
Tuensang will face defending champions Mon in Thursday’s final, setting up a clash between the 2024 champions and the reigning title holders, with both districts seeking only their second title.
The semi-final offered a compelling contrast between Tuensang’s experience and Zunheboto’s youthful energy. Making their first-ever semi-final appearance in the tournament, Zunheboto played with freedom and pressed forward with intent, while Tuensang adopted a more measured approach, seeking to control the tempo and strike when opportunities arose.
Tuensang coach Joel Richard Williams’ decision to name Sentisang in the starting eleven paid off early. Sentisang had scored with a header as a substitute in Tuensang’s quarter-final win over Phek, earning a place in the starting eleven for the semi-final. He repaid that faith in the eighth minute, heading home the opening goal.
The move began with a long ball from Bongcheli in right midfield to Ayenmongba in the left corner. Ayenmongba delivered a volley from the edge of the box, and an unmarked Sentisang met it with a header that found the net.
Sentisang’s contribution carries an added storyline. He represented Mokokchung in the previous edition, where he scored a hat-trick, but was not selected for the team this year. He subsequently switched allegiance to Tuensang and has contributed to the team’s run to the final, including scoring against Zunheboto and converting his penalty in the shootout.
Williams deployed a 4-3-3 formation, seeking to balance attacking opportunities with defensive solidity. The approach allowed Tuensang to contest possession and look for openings while maintaining a compact defensive shape.
Zunheboto refused to retreat despite falling behind and gradually began to threaten more frequently. Their persistence paid off in the 58th minute when Ngukape restored parity with a long-range effort from around 30 yards. Imtikumzuk appeared to misjudge the shot’s flight as the ball bounced and went in off the right post.
The equaliser gave Zunheboto renewed belief, and they continued to push forward in search of a winner. However, neither side could find a decisive goal in regulation time or extra time, forcing the contest into a penalty shootout.
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With a place in the final at stake, Imtikumzuk emerged as Tuensang’s decisive figure once again. After being unable to prevent Zunheboto’s equaliser, he saved two penalties to help his team prevail 4-3 from the spot, repeating his heroics from the quarter-final against Phek.
The result ended Zunheboto’s breakthrough run but kept Tuensang’s title ambitions alive. The 2024 champions will now face Mon, who defeated Peren 2-1 in the first semi-final, for the championship on October 29.
