Kohima: The final match of Nagaland’s premier football tournament- NSF Martyr’s Memorial Trophy, drew not less than 10,000 football fans on Saturday night as Red Scars FC emerged as the champions for the first time.
The new champions defeated Liangmai FC in the final match by 4-2 goals at the state’s first Astro-turf pitch at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima.
The month-long tournament which began on September 18 was organised by the Angami Students’ Union (ASU) in memory of two student martyrs’- Kekuojalie Sachü and Vikhozo Yhoshü.
The two finalists put on a dazzling display of footballing skills, giving the spectators a fitting finale to the tournament.
Red Scars FC began to lead the match in the 20th minute after the team’s Yhunshalo Kemp scored by a penalty kick when a player from the opponent team was given a cautionary card.
Again, Kemp scored another goal by a penalty kick when a Liangmai player was faulted by the referee. With these scores, Kemp joined Yhoto Lohe of A Yhome FC to become the top scorers of the tournament.
Liangmai FC’s Zumzum Punyü scored the first goal for the team in the 61st minute after a lemon break. However, goals by Red Scars’ Hminghlu and Hongreiwang Richard continued to boost the team.
Disappointed fans of Liangmai FC began to exit the stadium as the match was coming to an end. The second score from Liangmai FC just seconds before the final whistle left the final scoreline at 4-2.
With the win, Red Scars FC walked away with a cash prize of Rs 2.5 lakh while Liangmai FC won Rs 1.5 lakh as runner-up of the tournament.
Best Keeper of the tournament was awarded to United FC Piphema’s Kevichütuo Kire; Best Defender to Red Scars FC’s Vikethozo Zhotso; Best Midfielder to New Market FC’s Khiuwangbo Kaurinta; Highest Scorer to A Yhome FC’s Yhoto Lohe & Red Scars FC’s-Yhunshalo Kemp; Player of the Tournament to Liangmai FC’s Winamthiu Ringdi.
Dear Reader,
Over the past four years, EastMojo revolutionised the coverage of Northeast India through our sharp, impactful, and unbiased coverage. And we are not saying this: you, our readers, say so about us. Thanks to you, we have become Northeast India’s largest, independent, multimedia digital news platform.
Now, we need your help to sustain what you started.
We are fiercely protective of our ‘independent’ status and would like to remain so: it helps us provide quality journalism free from biases and agendas. From travelling to the remotest regions to cover various issues to paying local reporters honest wages to encourage them, we spend our money on where it matters.
Now, we seek your support in remaining truly independent, unbiased, and objective. We want to show the world that it is possible to cover issues that matter to the people without asking for corporate and/or government support. We can do it without them; we cannot do it without you.
Support independent journalism, subscribe to EastMojo.
Thank you,
Karma Paljor
Editor-in-Chief, eastmojo.com
Special guest of the closing ceremony, K Neibou Sekhose, president of the Nagaland Football Association and executive member, All India Football Federation, handed over the prize to the top two teams.
Earlier, he encouraged the players to fight for their dreams. and to make sacrifices and work hard to face any challenges.
He also thanked the organisers, Angami Students’ Union (ASU) for keeping the legacy of Lt Kekuojalie Sachü and Lt Vikhozo Yhoshü through the tournament.
Also Read | Nagaland: How football keeps alive memories of 2 youths killed by police
Trending Stories
- Meghalaya: Central team reviews Jal Shakti Abhiyan projects in Garo Hills
- ZPM leader Lalduhoma sworn in as Mizoram Chief Minister
- Research says climate change is causing lizards and other species to evolve
- Singer Taba Chake shares Arunachal to Bollywood journey
- NE activist Rituparna joins National Council for Transgender Persons
- Meghalaya: Extra 1.4 acre marked for Harijan colony relocation
