Wins for Ruboo United, FC Joga Bonito & Nizams FC
DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 18 (MExN): A motivated Natak FC side defeated CASE FC 1 – 0 at 1st NAP Ground to cement their position at the top of the CASE Premier League Season 4 which is heading for the winter break.
The home team started off by pressing CASE high up the pitch and took advantage early in the 2nd minute of the game. Defender Neibu came dribbling down from the backline and placed a deep ball for Pokhotsowho broke his marker to gently lob the ball over CASE custodian Solo. In the second half, CASE attacking midfielder Temsu had a vicious shot on target, however Natak custodian Tiasunep was quick on his feet to pounce on the shot to steer it away from goal.
It was a hard-fought battle for both sides although CASE FC enjoyed most of the possession but the Nataks held on well to secure the win and three points. Natak FC is currently at the top of the table with 24 points while CASE FC is at sixth position with 9 points.
Meanwhile, Nizams FC fired thrice to defeat Trinity Sporting. Needing wins to close the gap on league leaders Natak FC, the match got off to a high-octane start withboth teams having equal possession of the ball in the initial 10 minutes. The game sprung to life in the 11th minute as Gigin of Trinity netted a beautiful goal. Nizams came back strongly and equalized after just two minutes from the boots of Vito.
Nizams thereafter took control of midfield and scored their second goal before the break with a wonderfully created chance for Ravi who slotted the ball into the net. Second half saw Nizams creating chance after chance but were wasteful in attack. In the later part of the match, Trinity defended resolutely but could not prevent a third goal as Ravi scored a sublime goal following some tactical interchange of passes, ending the game at 3 – 1.
In the other matches, Dr. Lipok’s late goal helped FC Joga Bonito beat Sporting Union and secure three important points. Second placed Sporting Union started the match against FC Joga Bonito needing a win to keep pace with league leaders Natak FC who won earlier in the day. And they were fortunate to go ahead via a penalty after the referee deemed a Joga defender handled the ball as he fell. Ekonthung converted the spot kick, sending Joga goalie Toshimongba the wrong way.
The second half saw a more resurgent setup by the Joga attackers asLimaongerequalised from just outside the D-box. Both teams went looking for the winner, but it was Joga Bonito who took the lead after a sublime through-ball from midfield to striker Dr.Lipok who made no mistake and slotted the ball past the keeper. Sporting Union had chances to equalise but some resolute defending and a goal line clearance from Joga Bonito kept the score at 2 – 1.
The face-off between the two bottom teams ended in a 4 - 3 win for Ruboo United as a late goal from Suneper ended all hopes for the Super Strikers to secure a win before the break.
The first goal of the match was scored by Ruboo United’s Mangkholen in the 8th minute, as he worked his way past the Super Strikers’ defenders to flick one past the goalkeeper with a shot towards the right. Within two minutes, Kenen took the tally to 2 - 0 for Ruboo.
The match took a U-turn as Super Strikers responded with three consecutive goals from the 26thminute onwards. Skipper Vayu’s overhead kick inside the box ensured the first goal for the Strikers while Kezevituo equalized in the 32nd minute. By the 40th minute, Michael’s goal had taken the scoreline to 2 - 3 in favour of SuperStrikers. The lead was however shortlived, as Mangkholen equalized for Ruboo with his second goal. It was heartbreak for the Strikers in the dying minutes as Suneper’s late goal put Ruboo in the lead, with no time left for the Strikers to respond.
Matchday 9 was the last match of the year as CASE Premier League will head into the winter break and will resume in the first week of February 2019. There are five matches remaining to be played after the scheduled break.
