Arkong Ward lift 1st Mokokchung Inter Ward Football Trophy

A jubilant Arkong Ward team after winning the 1st Mokokchung Inter Ward Football Tournament at Imkongmeren Sports Complex, Mokokchung, March 30. (Morung Photo)

Morung Express News
Mokokchung | March 30 

A young Arkong side were crowned the champions of the 1st Mokokchung Inter Ward Football Trophy after they pipped a resilient Artang Ward by a solitary goal in the dying minutes of an exhilarating final match played at Imkongmeren Sports Complex here today. The tournament was organized by Marepkong Youth Association under the aegis of Mokokchung District Football Association where H. Kuhovi Sema, Commandant, 2nd NAP Alichen was the special guest for the final match.

Arkong Ward team exhibited their “home turf” dominance throughout the tournament as they lifted the trophy without a single loss or draw. Their semi-final encounter with Alempang ward, where they recovered from a 2-1 deficit in the first half to eventually win the match 5-2 boosted the team’s morale to take on a team that featured more experienced players.

The final match played today ended in a goalless draw at the end of regulation time. The score line remained unaltered till the end of the first half of extra-time and it looked like the match was headed for the tie-breaker. Both sides made brilliant offensive strikes but Artang came closer to find the back of the net in the second half of extra-time more. However, Artang conceded a free kick just outside the 30-yard box in the 105th minute of the match which the Arkong side’s most experienced player, R.Achi, took with perfect accuracy. Achi’s free kick found the head of his team mate Longshin whose header veered the ball past Artang’s custodian. Artang made all-out effort to find the equalizer but could not find the target despite coming dangerously close on at least two occasions. The lone goal was more than enough to seal Arkong’s victory when the long whistle came.

Imliwapang of Alempang was adjudged the Best Goalie, Longshin or Arkong Ward the Best Defender, Ashish of Mongsenbai Ward the Most Promising Player and Aripong or Arkong ward the Player of the Tournament.

Temjentoshi or Arkong, Arennungsang or Lijaba Lijen Ward, Limasungkum of Tongdentsuyong Ward and Imnatoshi of Mongsenbai Ward were the joint winners of the Highest Scorer Award who scored four goals each.