League leader Naga Tornadoes Friday extended their unbeaten run with a convincing 2-0 victory over Zonipang FC in the only NPL match played at DDSC Stadium, Dimapur.

Tornadoes now remained the only unbeaten team from 14 matches, winning ten and drawing four matches. Naga Tornadoes is leading the NPL table on 34 points followed by Dimapur United on 30 points and Barak Flamingoz on 29 points.

Dimapur United and Flamingoz would be playing against each other on Saturday at Mokokchung.
A victory for second place United would reduce the lead by one point.

First half goal from Kekhrie and second half strike from Abel helped Tornadoes extended the lead by four points. 
On the other hand, Zonipang FC who is currently placed 5th position on 15 points would go down, as Doyang and Komets placed at 6th and 7th positions on 14 points each are also playing against each other on Saturday at Dimapur.

As expected, Tornadoes boys known for their speed and energetic attacking tactics took away the match from Zonipang FC right from the first whistle. The first session belonged to the hosts.

Tornadoes’ Abel who scored a hat-trick against Dynamic in the last match, narrowly opened the account in the 12th minute, but his header from Athing cross was cleared by Zonipang’s defender. 

However in a space of one minute, Tornadoes opened the account, when unmarked Kekhrie’s long range powerful right shooter beat the diving Zonipang’s custodian to his right.

Zonipang tried to restore the parity, but ended in sloppy passing.
The visitors’ key players, Imlitoshi, Temjenmeren, Imlikokba wasted few opportunities in the first session.
The first session also saw Tornadoes’ skipper Athing, wasting golden opportunity to double the lead in the 23rd minute.

Coming after the break, Zonipang created some pressure on Tornadoes defense line up but their effort ended in poor finished.

Then in the 52nd minute Zonipang suffer a major setback, when Abel making no mistake converted Athing’s cross from left to seal the victory for Tornadoes.  He scored through a header.

Trailing by two goals, Zonipang refused to give up and was narrowly rewarded in the 69th minute, when a superb combination of Imlitoshi and Temjenmeren created a wonderful opportunity only to see Temjenmeren’s shot went wide out of the target.

With time running out, Zonipang’s play maker Temjenmeren also wasted two more opportunities. He had his shot blocked for corner by Tornadoes’s custodian Ato in the 75th minute and another shot hitting the side post in the 82nd minute. 

Saturday’s Matches
New Market FC Vs Sangpang FC (Kohima) 1 pm
Doyang FC Vs Kohima Komets FC (Dimapur) 1 pm
Dynamic FC Vs Life Sports FC (Dimapur) 3 pm
Barak Flamingoz FC Vs Dimapur United FC (Mokokchung) 1 pm