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One of the young talent revelations of MDFA Trophy 2019, Imkongnungkum of Alempang YA follow on to contain Telongjem FC skipper Nyithong Mach during their semifinal encounter on October 25. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Mokokchung | October 25
Alempang FC’s dream run at the MDFA Trophy 2019 came to a bittersweet end today as Telongjem FC set date with Zonipang SA for Mokokchung’s biggest football title clash after a weather-interrupted semifinal match here today.
Telongjem scored three goals in the first half in quick succession that did the damage to Alempang from which they could not recover. Kezhose Mathew scored a brace while Nyithong Mach and Purakum scored a goal each for Telongjem FC to win the semifinal match 4-1, the lone goal for Alempang being scored by defender Chubatemsu.
The match was evenly poised till the first 20 minutes of play although the Alempang goalie Imliwapang was busier than his counterpart at the other end of the pitch. Imliwapang made a couple of crucial saves but Telongjem striker Kezhose Mathew broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute after which Alempang lost control of the game and conceded another goal just one minute later to Telongjem skipper Nyithong Mach.
The referee was then forced to suspend the match due to heavy fog and poor visibility. On resumption of play as the fog subsided, Telongjem’s Purakum added another goal in the 26th minute of the match and the score line remained unaltered till the half-time break.
At halftime, Alempang players encouraged each other to bounce back into the match and Chubatemsu gave them some hope when he netted one with a powerful shot from 50 yards in the 57th minute. However, Kezhose Mathew sealed the game when he scored the second of his brace in the 65th minute. The match was interrupted thrice, lasting a cumulative total of 74 minutes, as the referee suspended play due to poor visibility. Slated to kickoff at 10:00 AM, it was also delayed by 52 minutes owing to unfavourable weather conditions and the match ended at 1:40 PM after three interruptions, a semifinal that will be remembered for the wrong reason.
Telongjem FC will face Zonipang SA in the final tomorrow at 12:00 noon which promises to be an exciting encounter provided the weather does not play spoilsport. Zonipang will be looking to lift the trophy for the third time, equaling the record jointly held by Arkong Sporting Club and Snipers FC as the most successful teams at MDFA.
On the other hand, it will be the first ever final match for Telongjem FC since their debut in 2016.
For Alempang YA, they may be out of the tournament but in some ways that does not matter. Making it to the semifinal of the MDFA and the revelation of their young talents, their forward players Imkongnungkum and Yashimeren in particular, is an achievement that many aspire but only a few achieve.
