In a thrilling and dramatic final showdown of the MDFA Trophy 2023, Telongjem FC successfully defended their title to secure their third consecutive MDFA Trophy by defeating Moanungsang Memorial Sporting Club in an exhilarating contest that kept the packed crowd at the Imkongmeren Sports Complex on the edge of their seats.
The match started with Telongjem FC falling behind by one goal, but they exhibited remarkable resilience and determination to reverse their fortunes.
Moanungsang MSC took the lead when their marquee striker, Meyasenba, gave his team the much-needed advantage in the 41st minute from an assist by Molutsupong. Meyasenba made another attempt shortly after, but his shot hit the crossbar, narrowly missing his brace. The first half concluded with a score of 1-0 in favor of Moanungsang, who had more shots on target.
In the second half, Telongjem entered with a point to prove, but the highly defensive Moanungsang side effectively blocked their advances with Meyasenba continuing to pose a threat on counter attack. Midway through the second half, Moanungsang introduced veteran Rongsenchiba, who had already netted 5 goals in the tournament to enhance their chances. However, they couldn’t capitalize till the 90th minute.
The match’s pivotal moment occurred in stoppage time, as Telongjem FC weaved a remarkable comeback. With an additional 6 minutes of stoppage time announced, Telongjem FC refused to relent and staged a relentless rally. In the 90+1 minute, Telongjem’s Seiminthang Haokip managed to breach the defense amidst offside confusion, leveling the score at 1-1.
In the 90+5 minute, Haokip once again sprinted down the left flank, slicing through the four-man defense to score his brace and seal the championship for Telongjem with just a minute of added time remaining on the clock. The final score read 2-1 in favor of Telongjem FC. Incidentally, Haokip was substituted in mid-way through the second half by coach Tiakumzuk, a move that changed the outcome of the match.
The final whistle marked Telongjem FC’s third consecutive MDFA Trophy triumph, mirroring their 2-1 final win against the same opponent last year.
The champions received a cash prize of Rs 2 Lakhs and citations sponsored by SBI Regional Bank, along with medals. Meanwhile, the runners-up, Moanungsang MSC, were awarded a running trophy in memory of Late Nokzar, a rifleman of the 12th Assam Rifles who was martyred in Manipur in 2009. Moanungsang received a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh, citations, and medals.
Imkong L Imchen, Advisor for Information & Public Relations, Soil & Water Conservation, Government of Nagaland, served as the Chief Match Patron of the final match. In his speech, he shared his passion for football, having also played in the same venue, and urged the players to aim beyond the district level, envisioning the tournament as a breeding ground for future football stars.
The MDFA, now in its 31st edition, is one of the longest-running tournaments in the state. This year’s tournament began on October 17th, with 14 teams competing for the coveted trophy.
Five individual awards were presented, each accompanied by a cash prize of Rs 5000 and citations:
Best Goalkeeper : Nungsangyanger, Super Seniors
Highest Scorer : David Konyak (9 Goals) from Konyak Students’ Union, Mokokchung
Best Defender : Tongpangjungshi Jamir, Telongjem FC
Most Promising : Shilusosang, Sports Society Soyim
Player of the Tournament : Meyasenba, Moanungsang Memorial Sporting Club
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