Chedema Youth Organisation and Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (T.K.S) won their respective matches during the pre-quarterfinal stage of the 25th NSF Martyrs’ Memorial Trophy at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima, on Monday.
Chedema Youth Organisation registered a dominant victory over Raven Gangtok FC, while T.K.S had to dig deep to overcome Mez & Co.
In the first pre-quarterfinal (Match No. 30), Chedema Youth Organisation thrashed Raven Gangtok SC 4-0 to secure their place in the last eight. The team dominated the contest from the first whistle, with Lenboilun scoring twice in quick succession in the 39th and 42nd minutes to put his side firmly in control. Daniel extended the lead in the 60th minute before Zemik sealed the emphatic victory with a strike in the 84th minute. Robinson of Chedema Youth Organisation was adjudged Player of the Match and received the award from Sinhilo Thong, former NSF vice-president and member of the steering committee.
The second pre-quarterfinal (Match No. 31) saw T.K.S earn a hard-fought 3-1 win against Mez & Co. Chanso gave T.K.S the lead in the 27th minute, but Mez & Co fought back, with Haokhohen equalising in the 64th minute. As the game looked evenly poised, Wungshung restored the lead for T.K.S in the 83rd minute before Samson put the result beyond doubt with a stoppage-time goal in the 90+5th minute. Wungshung was named Player of the Match, receiving the award from P. George Vizo, member of the technical committee.
With these victories, Chedema Youth Organisation and T.K.S have both advanced to the quarterfinals and will face each other on October 10 in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.
It may be mentioned that in last year’s tournament, Chedema Circle FC beat Tangkhul 2-0 in the quarterfinals, while Tangkhul defeated Chedema Village Students’ Union 3-1, underlining the strong legacy of Chedema sides in the competition.