The penultimate day of the group stages of the ongoing Mokokchung Inter Ward Football Tournament, played at Imkongmeren Sports Complex, Mokokchung, on Friday, saw Sungkomen, Mongsenbai, and Artang qualify for the next round.
Group A has now completed all its league matches, with Mongsenbai and Artang advancing to the next round. Both teams finished with six points after winning two matches and losing one, but Mongsenbai topped the group based on a better goal aggregate.
Also in Group A were Penli and Yimyu wards, both of whom finished with three points after securing one win and two losses each.
In the final round of group matches today, Mongsenbai secured their qualification by defeating Artang 1-0, while Yimyu salvaged some pride with a 1-0 win over Penli. Imnasashi scored for Yimyu, while Toshinungsang netted the winner for Mongsenbai in their respective matches.
Group A was highly competitive, but the two former champions ultimately advanced. Artang won the title in 2021, while Mongsenbai were crowned champions in 2022.
Meanwhile, Sungkomen played their first match of the tournament against Lijaba Lijen and secured a commanding 4-1 win, eliminating Lijaba Lijen from the tournament. Group D consists of only three teams, including Dilong ward, which had earlier defeated Lijaba Lijen on Wednesday.
All four goals for Sungkomen were scored by Tarepnungsang, last year’s top scorer with nine goals. Sungkomen and Dilong will face off on Saturday to determine the Group D winner.
A total of 12 matches have been played so far in the tournament since it began on March 25, with all matches resulting in either a win or a loss, and none ending in a draw.