Correspondent
MOKOKCHUNG, OCT 23 (NPN): Mon and Zunheboto booked their places in the semi-finals of the 25th Dr. T. Ao Trophy Inter-District Football Championship, Silver Jubilee edition, after registering contrasting victories in the first two quarter-final matches at Renpo Lu Sports Complex, Ungma, Mokokchung on Friday evening.
Mon defeated Longleng 4–2 with a dominant second-half display, while Zunheboto edged past Kohima 2–1, scoring the decisive goal in stoppage time to secure the second semi-final berth.
Mon overpower Longleng 4–2
Mon produced an impressive attacking performance after a goalless first half to overcome Longleng and become the first team to advance to the semi-finals.
Eshong Konyak opened the scoring in the 49th minute before doubling Mon’s advantage in the 63rd minute to complete his brace. Tingshak Konyak extended the lead in the 67th minute, and L. Nyamnyei struck two minutes later to put Mon firmly in control at 4–0.
Longleng mounted a late fightback, with Henpang pulling one back in the 76th minute before B. Mantong scored in the first minute of stoppage time. However, Mon held on to secure a 4–2 victory and progress to the last four.
Mon’s L. Nyamnyei and David received yellow cards in the 50th and 52nd minutes, respectively, while Longleng’s Ongkum was booked in the 43rd minute.
The match was patronised by District Planning Officer, Mokokchung, N. Chuba Phom.
Hikupu seals dramatic win for Zunheboto
Zunheboto secured the second semi-final spot after edging Kohima 2–1 in a closely contested encounter, with Hikupu scoring the decisive goal in the 92nd minute.
Kohima took the lead in the 33rd minute through Noulevituo and maintained their advantage until the interval. Zunheboto responded after the restart, with Mangholen finding the equaliser in the 51st minute to restore parity.
Both teams battled hard for the winning goal as the match approached its closing stages. Zunheboto, however, found the breakthrough in the first minute of stoppage time, with Hikupu scoring in the 92nd minute to complete a dramatic comeback and seal a 2–1 victory.
The result ended Kohima’s campaign in the Silver Jubilee Edition, while Zunheboto advanced to the semi-finals.
Kohima’s Radovei received a yellow card in the 102nd minute, while Zunheboto’s Atopu was booked in the 105th minute of extra time.
The match was patronised by Sr. SP of Mokokchung, Imtitoshi.
With Mon and Zunheboto through to the semi-finals, attention now turns to the remaining quarter-final fixtures, where Wokha, Peren, Phek and Tuensang will battle for the final two places in the last four.
The quarter-final action continues on Saturday, with Senior Treasury Officer, Mokokchung, Temsupongla, serving as patron for the third quarter-final, while Councillor, Mokokchung Municipal Council, Imkumniba Kichu, will patronise the fourth quarter-final.
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