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Players in action during the first match of the NE Dr T Ao Trophy between Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh on January 20. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | January 20
Nagaland registered a comfortable 4-1 victory against Arunachal Pradesh as Manipur romped past Tripura by a huge 11-0 margin on day one of the North East Dr T Ao Trophy at the IG Stadium, Kohima on January 20.
The match got off to a ruckus start as Nagaland was awarded a penalty only 40 seconds into the match as left winger Hitova Ayemi was brought down inside the box. As he stepped up to take the spot kick, Ayemi however managed to shoot straight at the keeper.
Arunachal Pradesh took the lead first through Charu Lalum in the 22nd minute.
Nagaland were quick to respond though, as Ratobe N Poireng swung in a corner met by Rhitsho Mero who struck the equalizer in the 39th minute.
Tove Hokato Zhimomi added another for Nagaland in the 79th minute.
As the match went on, Arunachal’s chances dimmed as Rhitsho Mero was brought down inside the box, handing the host’s their second penalty. Sinenlo Kath stepped up to strike the ball past the keeper making it 3-1 in the 86th minute.
The only setback for Nagaland in the dying minutes was when left winger Hitova Ayemi got sent off for a second yellow card.
Ratobe N Poireng however sealed Nagaland’s impressive victory in the 92nd minute with the fourth goal.
Meanwhile, in Manipur’s dominating win, Seminthang Baite opened the account in the 4th minute and later netted his second goal in the 38th minute.
Luginthan Kipgen and Nongdamba Singh also scored a goal each.
Henry Monshang, Sr. Kagaly Anal, Lalminlian Vaiphei, S. Kaphoi Singh and Haolengou Kipgen also scored a goal each for the team.
Earlier, gracing the opening ceremony, Nagaland Governor, RN Ravi maintained that Dr. T Ao was a legendary figure, starting his life from a very humble and remote village with a passion for football and other sports.
Dr. T Ao played football wherever he went and won the hearts of the people. He excelled not only in football but also in academics.
Ravi stated that the NE with its varying cultures and identities lived as one family- in peaceful co-existence until the post colonial politics of fragmentation began. He said this political fragmentation has created the divide where the concept of 'us and they' has become more prominent.
"The trophy brings people together and this region has produced galaxy of sportspersons. We need to ponder and perhaps make a beginning of having more trophies in their honour so that the people of the region may come together more often in the spirit of unity," Ravi said.
Nagaland Youth Resources & Sports Advisor, Er Zale Neikha said that the first North East Dr. T .Ao Trophy was hosted by Nagaland in 2009 in Dimapur and jointly funded by the Ministry of DoNER and the State Government.
Since then, it has come a long way, with the tournament trophy being conducted yearly, on a rotation basis amongst the Northeast states. “Indeed, it is a proud moment for our state of Nagaland to once again host the tournament, which coincides with the commemoration of the 100th Birth Anniversary of the legendary footballer Dr. Talimeren Ao,” he said.
“Sports as we all know, acts as a unifier, and today this Northeast Dr. T. Ao Trophy 2020 has brought us together under one umbrella under the theme ‘Together We can Soar.’ I believe this tournament will enable us to stay connected, and together we achieve greater glories for our region and nation in sports,” Er. Zale said.
He was hopeful that the Ministry of Youth Affairs &Sports/DoNER and North East Council will continue to give financial support to host such tournaments, so as to up-lift sports in the NE, and enable the region to produce promising and excellent sportspersons in the future.
January 21 Matches
Sikkim vs Assam
@ 2:00pm
Mizoram vs Meghalaya
@ 4:00pm
