Unruly incident mars Amba Medhi soccer match

MANGALDAI, Sept 23 – A few supporters of 3rd Mizoram Battallion with its headquarters at Mangaldai allegedly resorted to violence in the ongoing Amba Medhi football tournament at the Mangaldai stadium.

According to the eyewitnesses, the incident occurred in the last 15 minutes of the pre-quarterfinal match between Green Valley Sports Club and the Mizoram Battallion after Mizoram went 2 goals down, following a simple field foul, a few supporters of Mizoram in official uniform and armed stormed into the field and started attacking players of Green Valley and the match referee.

The violent supporters inflicted injuries to Green Valley custodian Mantu Nirmalia and Traffic Police ASI, Naren Hazarika. However the injuries to both of them are stated to be not serious.

It is alleged that one officer of the Mizoram Battallion in the rank of the Deputy Commandent himself led the unruly men threatening the public, organizing committee members including the mediapersons by pointing their duty arms. Senior officials of civil and police administration rushed to the stadium and controlled the situation and also picked up one of the Mizoram players.

While filing of this report, no FIR was lodged by the organizing committee.
READ MORE - Unruly incident mars Amba Medhi soccer match

Churchill demolish Viva Kerala 4-0 in Fed Cup

Vasco, Sep 22 (PTI) A second half brace by Odafe Okolie helped Churchill Brothers to a convincing 4-0 win over Viva Kerala in their Federation Cup quarter-final league match at the Tilak Maidan here today. Churchill opened its account through a controversial goal in the 39th minute by Koko Sakibo.

Okolie scored in the 57th and 65th minute and Rouhollah Samieinia put the match beyond Viva Kerala with a gem off a strike in the 75th minute. Viva Kerala, who started their pre-season training 10 days before arriving here, lacked the pratice for a big game like this.

Their midfield failed to function which helped the new look Churchill-squad to dictate terms throughout the game.

The first half was mainly a midfield affair and Churchill opened their account through a controversial goal. Defender Denzil Franco from the right took a long shot at the goal which keeper Sherin Sam managed to block. Koko, who was clearly on the offside, pounced on the loose ball and slotted into the net before the keeper could tackle him.

Odafe Okolie, who saw his effort hit the post in the first half, then increased the lead in the 57th minute from a penalty after he was brought down inside the box by defender Bello Rasaq. The talismanic Nigerian then killed the match by scoring again eight minutes later with a powerful shot that found the roof of the net off a back pass from Robert L from a freekick.

Samieinia rounded off the tally with a gem, as he essayed a left-footer from the box, off a pass from Khan Thang Paite, which gave no chance to the rival keeper to react.

Churchill, who have collected full points from the match, will next face Sesa Football Academy, who lost to Chirag United earlier in the day, on September 23, while Viva Kerala will take on Chirag United on the same day.
READ MORE - Churchill demolish Viva Kerala 4-0 in Fed Cup

Football coach Mughato wants to produce great players in the region

Kohima, Sep.20 (ANI): While thinking of the game of football in Nagaland, the name of Mughato comes naturally to one's mind here today.

Nagaland's Mughato, the talented football coach, is upbeat about producing football players from the region.

His career as a footballer started in 1995, when he joined the Assam Special Reserve Police.

He played for it for four consecutive years and then joined Dynamo Club, Guwahati before shifting to Mohameddan Sporting Club in Kolkata.

His desire to work for the youth in Nagaland brought him back to Dimapur where he has been working as a coach at the Youth and Sports Department.

Mughato has today put Nagaland on the football map of the country.

In 2008, a Nagaland team won the Under-14 Subroto Cup title for the first time.

"Nagaland Football Association (NFA) should start a league of its own, the Nagaland league. Until and unless that comes out, it'll be hard to progress. If NFA couldn't start due to lack of funds why not the Nagaland Government takes it up, if they want the sportspersons to excel, says Mughato, the football coach.

Eight players of his under-14 team were awarded scholarships and seven others were selected for representing Subroto-11 at Bangladesh.

The young coach, however, doesn't like resting on his laurels. He today wants the State government to frame a sports policy that encourages talented players.

"If the Government wants, it can create job for us. Like in Manipur, they are creating jobs for those who excel in National and international arenas. So, if the Government starts doing that, obviously then the players out here will also start giving their full time," said Mughato.

"We Nagas have much potential in sports. We are interested in playing games including football, cricket and others. We got potential. What we lack is we don't get enough facilities to become better sportspersons," said Shinmichin, a football player.

In Nagaland, Mughato is a youth icon, whose passion for football is widely viewed as an inspiration who could motivate many more youngsters to take up football as a career. By Peter Chachei (ANI)
READ MORE - Football coach Mughato wants to produce great players in the region