NPL wide open, tricky ride ahead for top-three

The NPL is headed for a close finish with only two match days left, after Life Sports FC spoiled FC Naga Tornadoes smooth cruise to the league crown. Results of Matchday 16 threw open the title chase wide open with league leader, Tornadoes only managing a draw, while its nearest rivals – Barak Flamingoz and Dimapur United registered easy wins on wide goal margins.  
The rampaging Tornadoes was held to a 1-1 draw by a steely Life Sports Saturday in Kohima enabling Flamingoz to go head-to head with Tornadoes in the points table at 38 points apiece. Flamingoz had an easy day out, pummeling minnows New Market 4-0 at the Kohima local ground. Dimapur United is not far behind at 36 points after their triumphant 4-1 showing against Zonipang SA in home turf. Fourth-placed Life Sports earned a precious point today against Tornadoes taking their points tally to 31.
It will be a tricky ride for the top-three, Saturday next, as the teams will be facing-off against one another. Tornadoes will face Dimapur United on July 7 in Dimapur, both teams’ chosen home ground; while Flamingoz is lined up against the unpredictable Kohima Komets. Komets beat Sangpang 2-0 in one of the three games played today in Kohima.

Dimapur Utd whip Zonipang, Dynamic prevail over Doyang
In the Dimapur leg of Matchday 16, Dimapur United kept alive its contention for the title, whipping a clueless Zonipang 4-1 at the DDSC Stadium. United began cautiously, probing the Zonipang flanks. The floodgates opened in the 9th minute when wingman Kamei sent home the first goal.
Zonipang missed a golden opportunity to equalize six minutes later, failing to convert a penalty kick that came their way. The result of handball foul in the area, striker Temjenmeren sent the spot-kick way over the top left corner of goal.
The visitors never seemed to recover from the blunder as United took full advantage firing from all cylinders. The next two goals came in a space of five minutes through Lalboi and David with the latter assisting in the second. The fourth goal was the result of a clever counter attack from United. An attack from Zonipang went awfully wrong as United cleared the ball, sending the ball upfront towards the Zonipang goal area to David. Receiving the ball near the centre line, David out -maneuvered his marker, passed it to Sethpou on the left. Sethpou made no mistake sending the ball home from the edge of the penalty box, sealing the fate of the match in the first-half itself.
Zonipang came close to scoring in the 44th but the header from Temjenmeren lacked power, easily caught by United custodian, Ikiho. The consolation goal came in the 72nd through Chichang. The goal-margin could have been much higher had United converted five near-goal chances. Attacking midfielders Mosa and Jacob, winger Kamei and striker Amir misfired on the five occasions, Mosa accounting for two. Zonipang goalie, Watitemjen had to sit out the second-half for a thigh injury sustained just before the break.
In the other game in Dimapur, Dynamic FC registered its first convincing win at the NPL beating Doyang FC 4-1. Matthew’s consistent performance in the scoring department paid off today, firing home three of Dynamic’s four goals, thanks to a penalty. The referee’s penalty ruling did look so convincing however. Matthew was brought down on the edge of the danger area by Doyang defender Thungchibemo but it appeared there was no physical contact. Akum was the other scorer for Dynamic.
Doyang also had it share of chances at goal, only failing to finish. The team’s only goal came in the 70th via Rovi.

Matchday 17, July 7
SANGPANG v LIFE SPORTS(Mokokchung)
KOHIMA KOMETS v BARAK FLAMINGOZ (Kohima)
DIMAPUR UTD v NAGA TORNADOES (Dimapur)
NEW MARKET v DYNAMIC (Kohima)
ZONIPANG v DOYANG (Mkg)

 

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Team Standings

Sl    TEAM NAME    PTS    GP
1    FC Naga Tornadoes    38    16
2    Barak Flamingoz    38    16
3    Dimapur United    36    16
4    Life Sports FC    31    16
5    Kohima Komets    20    16
6    Doyang FC    17    16
7    Sangpang FC    16    16
8    Zonipang SA    15    16
9    Dynamic FC    14    16
10    New market FC    1    16