Shillong, April 23: Nagaland defeated Mizoram 6-5 via tie-breaker to clinch the football title at the 24th North East Games at Polo Ground here today.
In an evenly contested final, both teams were locked 1-1 at the end of regulation and extra time, with the penalty shootout coming into play. In the battle of nerves, the Nagaland men prevailed over their opponents.
Kevihiezo drew first blood for Nagaland in the 13th minute. Mizoram, however, upped the ante and found the equaliser through Laltanpuia in the 21st minute.
The remaining part of the first half was a lacklustre affair with both sides making forays at regular intervals but not being able to convert them into goals.
In the second session, the Nagaland men made a few inroads into the Mizoram castle but could not hit the net owing to lack of precision.
The Mizoram players, too, launched a counter-attack towards the end of regulation time, only to be thwarted by the Nagaland defenders.
The extra time saw the ball seesawing on either half but neither team managed to score during the period, taking the match to the tie-breaker.
In the penalty shootout, Khiawjang, Belie Rio, Saku Tamjen, Alfred and Yapang found the net for Nagaland while Souma Hnawte, Lalrem Riata, Lalthak Liama and Lalring Chamna ruffled the net for Mizoram. Lalchming Mawia’s shot, however, missed the target.
Defending champions Manipur whom Nagaland shocked by a solitary goal in the first semi-final yesterday, defeated hosts Meghalaya 2-0 to take the third slot in the playoff this morning.
Manipur skipper Nilakumar Singh and Ibocha Singh ruffled the net for the two goals in the fifth and 43rd minutes respectively.