Invincible Dimapur comfortably enter quarter finals
Dimapur 1 : 0 Chumoukedima
Chumoukedima and Wokha are eliminated from Group A
In an extremely competitive match played out between Dimapur and Chumou, the former took the lead with a goal from Toka in just the 2nd minute.
Starting with an offensive strategy, Dimapur dominated the game by and large in possession as Chumou struggled to get hold of the ball in the first half. The second half saw more decent chances for Chumou but they failed to convert them.
To begin with, Chumoukedima never had the luck with them in this tournament. For sure, they were a decent team but they just continued with their last minute jinx from the very first match till the last game of the tournament where they missed out on scoring even a spot kick against Dimapur in the second half.
However, Goalkeeper Nungsang made some decent saves while Zhotso in the back made some crucial clearances that stopped the Dimapur team from scoring more goals.
As for Dimapur, they had a brilliant game starting from Goalkeeper Homuka who is yet to concede a goal and an impenetrable defense that will take a sharp striker with good runs and an intelligent playmaker to slice through them.
Dimapur have always played beautiful football throughout the tournament. The Haotinmang-Toka-Zhimomi and Kakhevi-Kiba-Zhimomi combination have delivered some of the finest executions in the final third regardless of the opposition.
This always gets more intense with substitute Pursunep coming in for Kiba where Pursunep-Kakhevi duo have always challenged the opponent and delivered some nail-biting moments.
So far, Dimapur is yet to concede a goal and is an unbeatable team. Whether their winning streaks follow or not on April 26 against Niuland will be a fascinating watch.
Defending Champs Phek beat Wokha in a classy game
Phek 2: 0 Wokha
From the bottom of the table to the QF – Phek qualifies
In a game of desperation where both teams needed to win to make it to the quarters, defending champions Phek displayed a classy game against an excellent defensive Wokha side.
The Wokha team, known for their strong defense, tried really hard to withhold the remarkable forwards of the Phek side but just couldn’t do it on the day.
Thopi-Ritse-Lohe-Mero displayed the classiest attack the tournament has ever seen so far as they ingeniously sliced the excellent defensive Wokha.
The Phek coach, Suanlian Zou knew how to bring out the best in his players and placed his trust on his strong defense and forwards with only two half-backs.
The forwards maintained possession in the field while the four defenders successfully kept the ball out of their side of the field. Meanwhile, Vero and Thupitor held the mid with their quick movements and light-foot.
The defending champs today had one of the finest games at Imkongmeren Sports Complex, Mokokchung.
Wokha had four defenders, four midfielders and two forwards providing a solid basic structure with defensive depth and attacking numbers with clearly marked roles but Phek’s team were just incredibly flexible.
The Wokha team were not a poorly organized 4-4-2; it’s just that the Phek team out classed them.
Phek had their opening goal in the 15th minute by Thopi and their persistence paid off as they found the second goal by Medeo in the 63rd minute.
Also read: Dr. T. Ao Trophy 2022 QF update
Debutants Niuland make it to their maiden Quarters!
Niuland 2: 0 Tuensang
Tuensang began the game with a conservative 4-2-4 formation by placing their two strikers to reap the maximum dividends off counter-attacks. But unfortunately, the pair of strikers could not understand each other’s game well.
Niuland with a classic 4-4-2 placed their four defenders and four midfielders in front of the opposition, covering the entire width of the field. As the defense pushed up high with the midfield, Tuensang was strangled in their own half by a wall of players.
However, if only the two strikers of Tuensang understood each other, the Nuiland’s wall could have been shattered. But their wingers failed to keep the speed and momentum to get into position and deliver to their two strikers.
Their formation relied too much on attack and defense, thereby exposing the midfield and making the whole side out of balance in the process.
Niuland took this advantage and Mughapu, with an assist from Hivika who was brilliant today, drew first blood in the 27th minute.
As Tuensang tried to equalize, their fast-paced game made them lose control of the ball and the forwards struggled to coordinate among themselves.
And then came the blunder caused by the miscommunication between the Tuensang custodian Tiarenba and their defense which gave Hivika the opportunity to score on a platter which he relished and doubled the lead in the 55th minute.
It was just not Tuensang’s day. Debutants Niuland were sharper and smarter.
Unstoppable Mon march on to the quarter finals
Mon 4: 1 Kiphire
Kiphire and Tuensang are eliminated
Kiphire once again failed to buckle up in their final match of the tournament as they encountered an unstoppable Mon on their march to the next round.
In a game that started out with 4-3-3 for both sides, Mon dominated in possession, running, skills and scores. The likes of Tingyek, Pangteih and Samson had a terrific game today as they made use of the poorly set up Kiphire defense and a confused goalkeeper Dzungti to come out as the leader of Group B.
Nonetheless, Kiphire scored one of the most stunning goals of the tournament in the 68th minute from Clement whose shot from 30 yards whizzed past the defense and goalkeeper Angki Konyak.
Kiphire’s Angki had a superb game today as a playmaker but his lone awesomeness could not script a positive result for his home bound team.
While Clement’s lone goal may have been a late consolation, it was not enough to save the day for Kiphire as Mon were already up with 4 goals from Samson in the 17th minute, Tingyek in the 20th minute, Pangteih in the 38th minute and Eshong in the 63rd minute.