Longterok FC (LFC) and Sechu Zubza FC began their campaign with their respective win at the ongoing first edition of Nagaland Super League (NSL) on Wednesday at Chümoukedima Football Stadium and IG Stadium Kohima respectively.
At Chümoukedima Football Stadium, Police Complex, Longterok FC delivered an impressive 4-0 victory over Frontier Warriors FC (FWFC) in a thrilling match on the second day of the NSL event.
The game kicked off with an early flourish as K Arap Konyak of LFC opened the scoring in a blistering 1 minute and 26 seconds. Not long after, Manton K Wanhsgu doubled LFC’s lead in the 19th minute, putting the pressure firmly on the Frontier Warriors. In the second half, Konyak struck again in the 66th minute to give Longterok a commanding 3-0 advantage, before Wanhsgu sealed the dominant performance with his second goal of the night in the 78th minute.
Throughout the match, tensions flared briefly, with defender Moalong Jamir and Salangwati Imchen (midfielder) from LFC each receiving yellow cards in the first half. FWFC’s goalkeeper Chiu also earned a yellow card for his actions in second half.
Despite the fierce competition on the pitch, supporters from both teamsmaintained discipline and showed respect for the game, witnessing what was ultimately an exciting and well-played encounter. K Arap Konyak of LFC was awarded the Man of the Match.
Meanwhile, at IG Stadium Kohima, Sechü Zubza FC emerged victorious over Red Scars FC with a 2-0 win in their first match. The match, which saw an own goal from Red Scars, was slightly delayed due to technical issues faced by some of their players in obtaining clearance from the Central Management System (CMS).
Despite the cold Kohima evening, a sizeable crowd gathered to witness the much-anticipated match. Sechü Zubza began on an attacking note, with midfielder Khiuwangbo Kaurinta attempting an early free kick, which narrowly missed its mark. The deadlock was broken when a defensive miscommunication in the Red Scars penalty box led to an own goal, catching their goalkeeper off guard as the ball rolled into the net.
Red Scars had a chance to equalize just before halftime through a well-delivered free kick, but Sechü Zubza’s goalkeeper made a crucial save, deflecting both the initial attempt and the rebound.
Trailing by a goal, Red Scars pushed hard in the second half but struggled to break through Sechü Zubza’s solid defensive line. In the 67th minute, Sechü Zubza doubled their lead when midfielder Pynbhalang Suting struck a powerful high shot from the left flank, leaving the Red Scars goalkeeper stunned.
Despite relentless attacks from Red Scars, Sechü Zubza’s defense, marshalled by their captain, remained resolute. The match saw rising tensions, leading to yellow cards for Red Scars’ Merensang in the 75th minute and Sechü Zubza’s Shano Tariang four minutes later for unsporting behavior. The final moments witnessed heated exchanges between players as frustration mounted.
Pynbhalang Suting was named Player of the Match for his stunning goal. Speaking after the match, he expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance and vowed to work harder for the upcoming fixtures. Sechü Zubza captain Kevi Sechü acknowledged that while the team played well, there was room for improvement. He praised the NSL as a much-needed platform for aspiring footballers and assured that his team would intensify their preparations for the remaining 11 matches.
Head coach Diethozotuo commended the NSL as a crucial opportunity not only for players but also for coaches and other stakeholders in Nagaland’s football scene. He described the match as intense, highlighting the team’s ability to perform under pressure.
On the other hand, Red Scars’ head coach M. Shashwath attributed the team’s struggles to a lack of communication on the field and the disruption caused by the CMS clearance delay. He revealed that the team currently has only 15 players due to the issue but remained hopeful for a resolution soon. Despite the loss, he expressed confidence in his squad’s ability to bounce back stronger in the upcoming matches.
With the win, Sechü Zubza FC begins their NSL campaign on a high note, while Red Scars will be looking to regroup and recover in their next outing. Kohima matches inaugural: For the matches in Kohima, a brief inaugural programme organized by the Nagaland Football Association (NFA) was held graced by Executive Member of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), Menla Ethenpa, who is also the chairman of the Finance Committee, and president of the Sikkim Football Association, as the special guest.
Addressing the gathering, Ethenpa emphasized the collective ambition of Indian football to qualify for the FIFA World Cup. He expressed optimism that the Indian women’s team might achieve this milestone before the men’s team, stating that he had always been a strong advocate for women’s football. He further highlighted the Northeast as a crucial hub for football in the country and acknowledged the immense responsibility placed on the region by the nation.
Commenting on Nagaland’s football journey, Ethenpa noted that while the state had started late compared to its Northeast counterparts, it had made a significant impact. He expressed confidence that with the determination of the government and stakeholders, the NSL would continue to grow. Reiterating AIFF’s commitment, he assured that the federation would support every effort undertaken to develop football in Nagaland.
Ethenpa also commended the talent displayed by local players and recalled Nagaland’s football legacy, referring to the late Dr. T. Ao, India’s first football captain. He stressed the importance of reviving that legacy and urged young footballers from Nagaland to take the sport to greater heights. He further revealed that AIFF had recognized Dr. T. Ao by naming a women’s tournament in his honor, with Nagaland set to host one such tournament later this year.
Urging the NFA to strengthen grassroots football, Ethenpa called for more football clinics and coaching programmes, stating that progress in the sport would not be possible without a strong foundation at the grassroots level. The event was attended by chairman of Kohima Village Council, Helievio Solo, who served as the match patron.
Feb 1 matches
Longterok FC Vs 27th United FC – 2 pm (Chumoukedima Football Stadium)
Sechu Zubza Fc Vs Nagaland United SC – 4 pm (IG Stadium Kohima)
Red Scars FC Vs Frontier Warriors FC – 5 pm (Chumoukedima Football Stadium)