Defending champions Sechü Zubza FC (SZFC) and Red Scars FC (RSFC)on Tuesday booked their slots for a face-off in the quarter finals of the ongoing 25th Anniversary Edition of the NSF Martyrs’ Memorial Trophy at the Indira Gandhi Stadium.
Playing against a relentlessly attacking Ward 19 Kohima side in the fourth pre-quarters match, SZFC struggled to keep its composure and grappled to keep its reputation as the defending champs. After a goalless 94 minutes or so of a hard fought battle on the pitch, the two teams had to settle for a tie-breaker, the first of the tournament this year.
SZFC’s skipper and goalkeeper Neithovilie Chalieu displayed enormous composure during the penalty shootout, saving three shots to ensure that his team stayed in the championship title run.
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SZFC won via tie-breaker (3-1) and Chalieu was awarded Player of the Match, a title he proved worthy with his crucial saves throughout the match.
Rural Development deputy director T Phangphe Wangsha who was the match patron, handed over the award to Chalieu
Meanwhile, earlier in the day, Red Scars FC routed Michazou FC 5-0 to sail into the quarter finals. RSFC took and early lead through the boots of Asito in the fifth minute of the match. Asito’s brace came in the 23rd minute while teammate Rakeviche’s 26th minute goal sealed the scoreboard for the Scars. Michazou failed to capitalise on the bare chances. In the second half, RSFC’s Sentisang scored another brace in the 63rd and 71st minutes to deny any chance of the opponent team to return.
Tribal Affairs executive engineer Nagashe Swu graced the occasion as the match patron while former Angami Students’ Union vice president Kevilelhou Zumvü presented the Player of the Match award to RSFC’s Asito.
October 8 fixtures:
New market FC Vs Mao Students’ Union (12 PM)
Nagaland United SC Vs Dimapur Chaos (2 PM)
