Naga Tornadoes draw Dimapur United 1-1; Mathew scores hat-trick  for dynamic

Barak Flamingoz FC move closer to clinch the inaugural Nagaland Premier League title with one match remaining after Naga Tornadoes and Dimapur United played a 1-1 draw on Saturday.

At Kohima, Flamingoz thrashed Kohima Komets 5-0 to move at the top of the table on 41 points.  Asian was the hero for Flamingoz by scoring a hat-trick. Bungthot and Khuanjang scored a goal each to demolish home team Kohima Komets.

Asian scored the first goal in 11th minute. He scored his second the team third goal in 58th minute and the fifth goal in 69th minute. Bungthot scored the second goal for the team with three minutes remaining to first half and Khuanjang scored the fourth goal in the 65th minute.

Komets had no answer as Flamingoz boys with swift passes and combination took away the game from the first whistle. Dominic and Kobu of Komet were yellow carded.

In Dimapur, Naga Tornadoes received a major setback after they were held by Dimapur United in a match that witnessed rough play and heated exchanges of words among the players.

Today’s result left Tornadoes on 39 points two points behind Flamingoz with one match remaining. Dimapur United stay at third place on 37 points. Mosa second half goal denied the victory for Tornados, after Lulun own goal in the first half gave Tornadoes the advantage.

Unlike other matches, the action packed match between Naga Tornadoes and Dimapur United attracted more than thousands of spectators.

Knowing that it was a must win for both the teams, the two rivals started the proceedings with careful approach. But as the match progress, players from both sides protested against the referee decision on regular intervals.

Tornadoes, the unbeaten team in the tournament maintained the record, but a draw was not enough for the NPL title.

And as usual, Tornadoes boys known for their aggressive approach were the first to build pressure on the rivals.  Kekhrie tested United keeper Ikiho in the early minutes.

Tornadoes were also awarded two corner kicks in the first 15 minutes but did no yield any positive result.  But United did not allow Tornadoes to settle down.

For United Jacob was the first to make a move, but his strike was well collected by Tornadoes custodian Ato. Then United’s danger man Amir tried a 25 meter powerful right shooter in the 16th minute.

The deadlock was broken in the 25th minute when United defender Lulun trying to clear the ball after a free kick taken by Laloureiyang was headed into their net. Right after Lulun’s own goal, Akum and Abel wasted an opportunities for Tornadoes.

Coming after the break, Tornadoes narrowly increased the lead but Laloureiyang blasted the ball over the cross bar after a wonderful assist from captain Athing. 

Then in the 48th minute, United equalized when Mosa converted the penalty.
The penalty was rewarded when Tornadoes defender brought down Jacob in the penalty area.

After a minute David missed a real opportunity for United. United’s Lalboi threatened Tornadoes on regular intervals with his brilliant tackles in the second session.

The combination of Amir, David and playmaker Mosa also threatened Tornadoes but could not yield positive outcome.

In Kohima, in the second match, Dynamic “striking engine” Mathew scored a consecutive hat-trick as Dynamic defeated bottom ranked team New Market FC 4-1.

All the goals were scored in the second session.
Mathew scored the hat-trick in the 47th, 68th and 77th minutes his team first, third and fourth goals.

Last week Mathew also scored a hat-trick against Doyang FC.
Akum netted the second goal in the 60th minute.

The face saver for New Market was scored by Ketoulezo four minutes before the final whistle. Bedühü of New Market received a yellow card for unsporting behavior.

Lifesports thrash Sangpang
Mokokchung, Jul 7 (NPN) (Correspondent): Fourth placed Lifesports FC thrashed Sangpang FC at their home turf 4-1 at Mokokchung.

Lifesports took an early lead through Chiyuh in the 5th minute. T. Haokip, the league highest goal scorer also added two more to his tally as he found the net in the 45th and 61st minutes.

Novito also scored for the red warriors in the added injury time in the 92th minute. The only consolation for Sangpang was scored by Osen in the 51st minute.

In the second match Zonipang SA were held 2-2 by Doyang FC. Victor of Doyang FC drew first blood when he spotted in a powerful header at the 17th minute but Zonipang players took only three minutes to equalize through Imlitoshi.

Later, Doyang FC forward Benri curled in a beautiful goal from a free kick in the 37th minute to take the lead. Zonipang forward Moakaba equalized in the 57th minute through a header.