NE Dr T Ao Trophy:
Ratobe N Poireng Zeliang (17) scoring Nagaland's 4th goal during the inaugural North East Dr T Ao Trophy 2020 match against Arunachal Pradesh at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima on January 20. (Screengrab Photo: Nagaland & North East Cornerstone TV/YouTube)
Morung Express News
Kohima | January 20
Host Nagaland comfortably beat Arunachal Pradesh 4-1 in the opening match of the North East Dr T Ao Trophy 2020 today while Manipur inflicted a crushing 11-0 defeat on Tripura in the second match.
The ongoing tournament, which kicked off at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima, is being held in commemoration of the 100th Birth Anniversary of Indian football legend Dr Talimenen Ao, who led the Indian football team in the 1948 Olympics, and will conclude on January 28.
Arunachal had the upper hand at the start of the Group –A encounter with Charu Lalum (9) scoring the first goal of the tournament.
However, it was downhill all the way thereafter. The host regrouped and Rhitsho Mero (10) pulled one for the team to end the first half 1-1.
When the play resumed in the second half, Nagaland were unstoppable with Tove Hokato (7) doubling the score line to 2-1.
The 3rd goal came from the boots of Sinenlo Kath (6) while Ratobe N Poireng Zeliang (17) scored the 4th goal and the inaugural match 4-1 in favour of Nagaland.
It was a one-sided goal fest in the second Group –A match of the day as NE football powerhouse, Manipur trashed Tripura 11-0 and drive home the point that they are team to be reckoned with at the tournament.
The fest started early as Seminthang Baite (11) scored Manipur’s first goal in the 4th minute.
Luginthang Kipgen (9) doubled the score in the next minute. A goal by Henry Monshang (15) in the 8th minute saw Manipur extending the lead by 3-0 within the first 10 minutes of play.
Another goal by Baite and one each by Sr. Kagaly Anal (13); Lalminlian Vaiphe (6) and Nongdamba Singh (17) ended the first half with an insurmountable 7-0 for Manipur.
The fate of Tripura in the 2nd half was not better as Manipur added four goals to inflict a crushing 11-0 defeat. While N Singh added another goal, the other three came from the boots of S Kaphoi Singh (7), Luginthang Kipgen (9) and Haolengou Kipgen (14).
Earlier, the Governor of Nagaland & Meghalaya, R N Ravi attended the inaugural function as the Chief Guest of the regional competition, with participation of all the 8 North East states.
A total cash prize of Rs. 22. 85 lakh is up for grabs at the tournament held under the theme “Together we can soar.”
Divided into two groups, the eight North East states will play league matches in the initial stage of the tournament and two teams from each group will qualify for the semi finals.
Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Tripura have been placed under Group A while Group B consists of Sikkim, Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram.
The champion will win Rs. 10 lakh, while the runner up will get Rs. 6 lakh. The 3rd and 4th placed teams will be awarded with Rs. 2 lakh and Rs. 1 lakh respectively.
Fair play winner will get Rs. 50,000 while player of the tournament will receive Rs. 25,000.
Other prize includes; Highest Score - Rs. 10,000, Best Goalkeeper-Rs. 10,000, Best Defender-Rs. 10,000, Best Midfielder-Rs. 10,000, Best Forward-Rs. 10,000, Man of the Final-Rs. 10,000, Champion Team Coach & Manager- Rs. 15,000 each, Runner-up Team Coach & Manager- Rs. 10,000 each and Loser Teams (League stage) - Rs. 50,000- each.
The tournament is jointly organized by the Nagaland state government in collaboration with Nagaland Football Association (NFA) and supported by the Government of India.
The technical aspects of tournament will be conducted as per guidelines of the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
The matches are being telecasted live by the Nagaland & North East Cornerstone TV on its official YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzKxOiExRrkt9YR1ra_HKuw) while other related statistics are also available on the official website of NE Dr T Ao Trophy 2020 (https://drtaotrophy.nagaland.gov.in/).
The proceedings of the tournament are also updated in real time by the official Twitters handle of NE Dr T Ao Trophy 2020 (@drtaotrophy2020).
