DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 13: After a gap of 42 years, Nagaland lifted the 61st Subroto Cup International Football Tournament for U-17 boys by defeating Chandigarh in the final match played on Thursday at Ambedkar Stadium in Delhi.
Representing Pilgrim Higher Secondary School, Dimapur, the team inflicted a 1-0 defeat on Government Model Higher Secondary School, Chandigarh.
In a thrilling final match, Setungchim headed in the winner at extra-time to help Nagaland win the Cup after 42 years. In 1980, Government High School, Dimapur, was declared joint winners along with Ibemcha Higher Secondary School, Manipur, due to unavoidable circumstances.
On Thursday, the champions Nagaland received a cash prize of Rs 3,50,000 along with trophy and citations. Shotok Nikhuyi of Nagaland also won the Best Goalkeeper award.
The team was led by Mughato Aye as Coach and Akhihito Zhimo as manager.
Nagaland team on their way to final beat Kejriwal High School, Bihar, 3-1, outclassed Fountainhead School, Surat, 16-0 and edged past Banpother Bengenabari HSS, Assam, 2-0 in the league matches to top the Pool G.
It overcame St. Anthony’s High School, Meghalaya, in the quarter-final via penalty shootout. In their semi-final match, they defeated CT Higher Secondary School, Manipur, 3-1 to make it into the final round.
Meanwhile, Advisor to Youth Resources and Sports, Zale Neikha congratulated the team for winning the prestigious trophy. He said that the boys from Nagaland showed their quality to be champions.
He appreciated the players for bringing laurel to the State and said that defeating a tough opponent was not an easy task as it requires a lot of training, high level of concentration and teamwork to be successful.
Calling it a Red Letter day for Nagaland football, he also hoped the Nagaland can build its young players for future and continue to bring laurel to the State.
(Page News Service)
