Rising Naga football talent Mecievi Khieya, a young footballer from Nagaland who recently joined Thai League 3 side, Thonburi United, has debuted in the first eleven for the first time, assisting his club to secure a 3-1 win against Kanchanaburi City at the Khao Noi Stadium in Kanchanaburi, Thailand.
Mecievi played the entire first half, assisting Thonburi to score two early goals before being substituted in the second half. With this important victory, Thonburi United is currently in the third position of the league fighting for a promotion to the Thai League 2.
This remarkable accomplishment makes him the very first player from Nagaland to start an official football match outside India, an update from SC Nagaland Thonburi United said.
Mecievi, a promising player from Kohima, is also the first player from Nagaland to represent a professional club abroad in a major national league.
Mecievi was selected earlier this year in February during a trial event called Nagaland’s Next Top Player in Kohima, organized by Thonburi United FC and the Department of Youth Resources and Sports, Government of Nagaland, in collaboration with SC Nagaland and Nagaland FA.