The second semifinal match between Telongjem FC and Mongsenbai FC saw a thrilling encounter even as the match at fog filled Imkongmeren Sports Complex was delayed due to poor visibility. The match was earlier scheduled to be played on Monday but was rescheduled to Tuesday owing to inclement weather conditions.
When the match eventually kicked off, the first half of the game was marginally dominated by Mongsenbai who had a conventional 60-40 control of the field, with both sides making significant shots on goal. However, the suspension of Mongsenbai’s first choice goalie Sashikumba in the 36th minute after being awarded a red card for handling the ball outside the box forced coach Temjenmeren to make a difficult decision and strategically substitute Imnatoshi, an experienced forward who played in the Dr. T. Ao Trophy and NOPG for Mokokchung District. The players were drenched in mud as the match ended 0 – 0 at half time.
Telongjem’s coach Tiakumzuk’s preferred striking gameplay came in strong in the second half as the side troubled the Mongsenbai goaltender on several occasions. Pursunep took a free kick from just outside the box and put it precisely inside the bottom corner, breaking the deadlock and raising the team’s spirits in the 54th minute of the game.
The damage did not stop there as ‘Goal Scoring Machine’ Yhunshalo Kemp, who had just scored a goal in the 22nd NSF Trophy winning the title with New Market FC, around 145 kilometres away in Kohima just the day before, did not hesitate to score another decisive goal in the 57th minute through a spot kick. Telongjem’s Imkongnungsang scored the game-winning goal in the 85th minute after a brilliantly sculpted pass from Bapen Yimjong inside the box, handing the 10-man Mongsenbai side a 3-0 defeat.
Telongjem FC and Moanungsang Memorial Sporting Club will compete for the championship title on October 26th at 1:00 P.M. at the Imkongmeren Sports Complex Mokokchung, with Medo Yhoka, Advisor, Technical Education and Elections, serving as the Chief Match Patron.