Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 20:
Nagaland ensured the last four berth of the 2nd Dr T Ao Doners Football Tournament following a goalless draw with SAI-Blue while in the other match at Mapal Kangjeibung today Assam demolished a depleted Mizoram side 7-0.Nagaland culling six points from the previous two matches added another today to cement its place in the semi finals from group A while the Imphal based SAI-Blue who drew 1-1 with Mizoram earlier is on the brink of being ousted from the league phase itself with today's goalless draw.
On the other hand, defending champion Assam is another hot contender for the semi final place from the same group recording its second consecutive win today.
Assam had defeated minnows Sikkim 3-0 in its first outing of the ongoing Dr TAo football tournament.
With two of its regular player having to sit out for the match due to sent-offs in an earlier tie against SAI-Blue, Mizoram defence caved in under tremendous pressure from the Assam strikers with the scoring spree starting from the 15th minute of the first session.
Following a Birjab Mushahary minus from the left Bhimkanta Sonowal fired in the opener through the custodian's right as Sanjeeva Rongpi doubled the lead five minutes later to double the score.
Bhimkanta scored his second goal to cushion the team lead to 3-0 in the 27th minute when Mushahary taking advantage of a confused Mizoram defence found Bhimkanta with a deft touch.
The fourth Assam goal came soon after with Mushahary volleying in past the stranded opponent 'keeper C Lalthlengliana before Mizoram defender PC Vanlamuana scored an own goal three minutes from end of first half to add to the Assam tally.
Despite the commanding 5-0 lead Assam players pounded the opponent citadel regularly to score two more through prolofic marksman Sonowal (50th & 86th).Earlier, in the first match, both Nagaland and SAI-Blue had scoring opportunities but lack of direction by the strikers nullified the good moves initiated by the schemers.
While Th Joychandra and L Sumin wasted several scoring chances for the SAI boys while most of the Nagaland attacks fizzled out near the SAI danger zone.