DAZZLING DIMAPUR MAINTAIN CLEAN SLATE WITH UNBEATEN RECORD AND NO GOAL CONCEDED
Correspondent
Dimapur District Football Association lifted the coveted 22nd Inter District Dr. T. Ao football trophy Friday at the Imkongmeren Sports Complex when the dazzling boys from Dimapur beat a spirited Mon District Football Association 2-0 in the final match played before a jam-packed stadium of over ten thousand football lovers.
Dimapur was also the only unbeaten team and also had not conceded a goal throughout matches.
Dimapur has now won the Inter-District Football trophy for the third time. The last time it won in 2005 was when it was known as Inter-District Tournament.
Playing before to a record jam packed ground, estimated to be more than 10,000 spectators, the match started on a high note with both teams making their intentions clear.
In the first half, Dimapur dictated the pace while Mon occasionally threatened the rival goal.
Both teams played an attacking game and tested each other’s defenses. The score remained 0-0 at lemon break.
After the break, Mon team began a determined onslaught but the Dimapur defense stood firm. The mid-field team of Mon were excellent but the forwards fumbled at critical moments.Dimapur boys then counter attacked with long passes and lobs. Eventually Dimapur’s Kivi Zhimomi broke the deadlock in the 59th minute with a stinger. Mon responded with strongly but again their forwards failed to penetrate Dimapur’s defence. The game was sealed when Dimapur’s Kakhevi scored in the 84th minute and left Mon supporters almost in tears.
A certain goal for Mon in the dying minutes was ably deflected from goal line by a Dimapur defender.
The supporters of Mon turned out in huge numbers to cheer for their team. Around 500 supporters from Mon arrived Mokokchung to cheer their team.
Players had to contend with the uneven bounce due to the ground condition. Nevertheless, the tournament saw some classic displays and thousands of spectators each day.
Earlier, a minute of silence was observed to pay respects to the victims of Oting and Mon incident in December 2021.
Dimapur the champions walked away with a cash prize of Rs. 3 lakh along with trophy and certificates while the runners-up Mon got Rs. 2 lakh along with trophy and certificates.
Winners of individual awards included: Player of the tournament- Kakhevi Assumi of Dimapur District Football Association(DDFA); Best goalkeeper- Homuka DDFA) Best defender: Sanyem Konyak of Mon District Football Association(MDFA); Best midfielder: Toka Achumi (DDFA) and Highest goal scorer: Yhunshalo Kemp 10 goals from Tseminyu District Football Association.
Gracing the closing ceremony as chief guest, Nagaland chief minister, Neiphiu Rio said that Dr. T. Ao Trophy was conducted to inspire the younger generations because Dr. T. Ao was a legend, who captained the free India to London Olympics in 1948. He added that it was such legacies that the government has come up with many policies on sports.
He lamented that even though the state lacks in infrastructure, the government was making efforts in building infrastructures in all the districts, as it has concern for the younger generation. Rio also expressed hope that youths of the state become ambassadors by playing outside both in national and international games.
He further said that the state will bid for national games to be hosted in the future if it gets an opportunity.