Imphal, March 24: Last year's runners-up and host Manipur will clash with Nagaland in the first semi-final while defending champions Assam will take on Sports Authority of India, SAI (Red) of Guwahati in the second semi final of the second Dr Talimeren Ao Trophy Northeast football tournament on March 26 at the main stadium of Khuman Lampak sports complex.

Assam who already secured nine points from three successive wins topped the Group A with 12 points following the winning of last league match of the group against Nagaland by 2-1 at Mapal Kangjeibung here today.

Nagaland took the second spot in the group with seven points from two wins and one draw.

In the penultimate league match of Group B, SAI (Blue) of Imphal beat Sikkim by a solitary goal.

Last league match of the group will beplayed tomorrow between Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh.

Manipur have already secured the top position with 12 points from all (4) wins in the league round while SAI (Red) of Guwahati followed with seven points from two wins and a draw in the group.

Even as there is no hope for entering semi-final Sikkim and SAI (Blue) of Imphal there was no sign of losing interest in today's match.

Both sides played with keen contest and launched attacks and counter-attacks against each other from the beginning.

The lone and wining goal for SAI (Blue) came in 40th minute when its captain L Ratan beautifully netted a ball thrown by Pouwong.

Sikkim boys tried every effort to equalise the goal from the beginning of second session.

However, due to the tough defence line of SAI boys, they could not penetrate the danger zone of SAI.

SAI (Blue) on the other hand missed several chances to add the goal margin.

However, none of the team could change the arithmatics on the scoreboard.

Referee flashed yellow cards to Norbu Bhutia of Sikkim and L Danny of SAI (Blue) for misconduct.

In the last league match of Group A, defending champions Assam defeated Nagaland by 2-1.As the match was first clash between the two teams, both side played with utmost care.

Having lined up with experienced players who have represented their respective for several times, the match seemed to be very keenly contested one.

Taking chance of slight loophole on Assam side Nagaland's Vizorii netted a ball as early as in 4th minutes.

Having learnt the loophole Assam put their defence line tougher and launched attacks for an equalizer.

However, none of them could overpower easily to each other.

The first session ended with Nagaland leading by a solitary goal.

In the second session too, Assam lost no temper to find its equalizer.

After several attacks and counter-attacks Assam got its equalizer through Bhupen Gogoi in 72nd minutes.

After this equalizer, the match became more and more competitive while trying to dominate its opponent.

Even though both sides penetrated its rival danger the impasse could not be break till 90th minutes.

However, Padum Rava of Assam broke the impasse only in 92nd minutes (injury time).

Assam from that win got three points topping the Group A by 12 points.

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