A midfield tussle between Manipur and Mizoram (in red) at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium on Sunday.
Imphal, Nov. 22 : Manipur held Mizoram to a 2-2 goal draw in the opening match of the 2nd Dr T. Ao Memorial Football Tournament at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium.
Tripura blanked Sikkim 4-0 in another match at Mapal Kangjeibung.
Eight states from the Northeast, including Sikkim, are participating in the tournament.
It was opened by youth affairs and sports and IFCD minister N. Biren, along with tribal development and veterinary minister D.D. Thaisii and Kohima Town legislator Dr Neikiesalie Nicky Kire, who is also the chairman of the Nagaland KVI Board.
A cultural presentation was also held.
Defending champion Manipur found the going tough, particularly in the first session, as Mizoram took the lead.
The stouter Mizoram team picked up speed in the game and the Manipur defenders had a tough time containing their progress.
However, Mizoram pushed through in the 44th minute for the lead, as Malsawnzuala, after anticipating a midfield pass from Lalhmangaiha, beat two defenders to shoot home.
In the second half, Manipur increased their tempo and concentrated on short passes and finally scored the equaliser in the 54th minute as forward I. Nilakumar collected a pass from T. Ajitkumar and squeezed through the right goalline to slam home a goal.
Mizoram’s Laldingngheta struck a powerful volley from the penalty region, giving little chance to the Manipur keeper for his team’s second goal in the 66th minute.
With changes in the Manipur rank, substitute Kh. Noaton infused new energy and was instrumental in the second goal after he ran past the Mizo defender on the right to pop a goalmouth cross where L. Nabachandra scored the equaliser in the 69th minute.
B. Lalrawngbawla and J.S. Hmar of Mizoram were booked with yellow cards by referee Pijush Biswas.
In the match between Tripura and Sikkim, Tripura dominated completely, as Liton Mazumdar struck twice while Vaniasang Darlong and Jagdish Debbarma scored a goal each.
Sonam Thendup Bhutia of Sikkim was awarded a yellow card in the game.