In a tightly contested match, Super Seniors FC and Zonipang battled to a 1-1 draw in a thrilling encounter that showcased both teams’ attacking flair and defensive resilience.
The match got off to a rocky start for the Super Seniors, who were forced to make an early substitution due to an injury within the first 10 minutes. Despite this setback, both teams engaged in an intense back-and-forth, creating several chances, yet neither side could break the deadlock in the first quarter of the match. The first half ended as it began, with both teams pushing forward but failing to find the back of the net.
As the second half unfolded, the relentless pace continued, but a critical error from Super Seniors proved costly. A misplaced pass allowed Zonipang to capitalize, and Imnatoshi struck in the 55th minute to give Zonipang a 1-0 lead.
With the game hanging in the balance, opportunities came for both teams, and the tension on the pitch was palpable.
In a dramatic twist, the Super Seniors found their rhythm in the closing stages of the match. In the 83rd minute, Nyithung scored a crucial equalizer, bringing the score to 1-1 and reigniting hopes for a late winner.
The match concluded with both teams sharing the points, a fair reflection of a game that highlighted the attacking prowess and defensive stability on display. As the final whistle blew, the result left fans on both sides satisfied with a hard-fought contest that could have tipped either way.
Super Seniors now top Pool B with 4 points after playing two matches. They defeated SSS 6-1 in their first match and have qualified for the quarterfinals.
Meanwhile, Zonipang, with 1 point after today’s draw, will play SSS on Saturday. A draw will be enough to see them through to the next round, while SSS is in a must-win situation.
In the second match of the day, Eastern Wings secured their first win of the tournament with a 3-1 victory over Legendary Yeomanly Misfits (LYM). The match kicked off with a flurry of goals, setting the stage for an exhilarating display of attacking football.
Eastern Wings struck early, with Nikom finding the back of the net in the 5th minute. However, LYM quickly responded, leveling the score just six minutes later when their No. 7 player Imchayanger scored in the 11th minute, bringing the match to life. But the joy for the Misfits was short-lived, as Nikom reasserted Eastern Wings’ dominance by scoring his second goal of the match in the 20th minute, completing a quick-fire brace and restoring his team’s lead.
With three goals already on the board in the first quarter, the game promised plenty of excitement. However, the second half began at a slower pace, with both teams finding it difficult to create clear chances. The ice was finally broken when Eastern Wings’ Chemthong scored in the 63rd minute, extending their lead to 3-1 and putting them firmly in control of the match.
From that point on, Eastern Wings showcased their defensive stability, comfortably seeing off the remainder of the game without further incident. The final whistle confirmed their victory, leaving them with a crucial three points in the table after two matches played.
Eastern Wings lost their first match to NU Lumami 1-4 earlier on Wednesday. The Misfits’ fate will be decided in their next match on Monday against NU Lumami. Although highly improbable, it is still mathematically possible for the Misfits to qualify for the next round if they manage to defeat NU Lumami by 6 goals without conceding any.
Meanwhile, NU Lumami can comfortably top the group with a draw; even if they lose to the Misfits by no more than 6 goals, they would still qualify for the next round.