The second semifinal of the 23rd Inter-District Football Championship for the Dr. T. Ao Trophy 2024, played at Loyem Memorial Astro Turf in Tuensang between Peren and Mon, resumed this morning at 7:00 am after being suspended yesterday due to weather conditions, following 67 minutes of play.
Mon led the game as it resumed, with Arap Konyak having put them ahead in the 47th minute. Peren, however, mounted a series of attacks down the left flank, led by their ‘little’ skipper Khiuwangbo Kaurinta. The pressure paid off in the 70th minute when Kenumdi Siarau skillfully hammered home a well-placed pass from the left to level the score at 1-1.
Despite the equalizer, Mon remained composed and created several opportunities, but their shots on goal failed to break the deadlock. As full-time approached, it was unclear whether the game would go into extra time or proceed directly to penalties.
Three minutes of injury time were added, with Mon pressing forward. In the 90+1 minute, Mon skipper Tingyek’s free kick was calmly collected by Peren goalkeeper Ngamsibo. In a swift counterattack, Ngamsibo launched a long ball to Wibonjibo on the left flank. Wibonjibo advanced before passing to Khiuwangbo, who was unmarked in deep midfield. With less than a minute remaining, the Peren captain took three controlled touches and unleashed a curling shot from 40 yards that sailed past Mon’s goalkeeper, Eshong, into the net. The goal shattered Mon’s hopes, once again seeing them fall short of a title.
Peren will now face hosts Tuensang, appearing in their maiden final, later today at 2:00 pm.