Mizoram players celebrate after netting their first goal against Manipur in the ongoing 3rd North East Games 2024 at NAPTC Stadium on March 19. They won the match 4-0.
Nagaland secure victory
Morung Express News
Chümoukedima | March 19
It was a showdown between two football powerhouses in the region and India as Mizoram clashed with Manipur in the opening match of the Group B encounter at the ongoing 3rd North East Games 2024 on Tuesday.
However, defending champions Mizoram proved too strong an opponent for Manipur, securing an emphatic victory at well-attended match held at the NAPTC (Nagaland Armed Police Training Centre) Stadium on March 19.
Mizoram opened their account in the 40th minute, just before the halftime whistle in the 80-minute match.
The team returned with vigour in the second half, netting another goal in the 41st minute, effectively sealing the match.
This dominance was stamped with a third goal in the 72nd minute. The final blow came during extra time in the 83rd minute, mere seconds before the final whistle, catching Manipur’s players off-guard as they attempted to mount a last-minute comeback.
While the final scoreline suggested a one-sided affair, the match was more competitive, although Manipur failed to convert some good chances into goals.
Meanwhile, in the first football match of the 2024 edition, Arunachal Pradesh secured a 2-1 victory over the previous silver medalists, Meghalaya.
The previous bronze medalists and the home team, Nagaland, started their campaign positively with a crucial 1-0 victory against Tripura.
In upcoming matches, Assam, the third team in Group B, will face off against Mizoram on March 20, while Meghalaya will take on Tripura.
Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh are poised to battle for supremacy in Group B in the last match of the day at 3 PM.
March 20 Matches
Mizoram Vs Assam – 9AM
Meghalaya Vs Tripura – 11 AM
Arunachal Pradesh Vs Nagaland – 3PM
