IMPHAL, January 10: Winners’ Cup 2012 champion Zomi FC today defeated NACO to enter the quarter final of the CC meet in its first ever appearance.
Playing the last pre-quarter final match at the Mapal Kangjeibung, the first timers netted three goals with their first coming in just the first 40 seconds of play while conceding just one.
Zomi FC will meet defending champion NEROCA on January 13 in the quarter final of the 56th Sir Churachand Singh KCSI, CBE Memorial Football tournament.
Jolthang headed home a cross pass from Cleaven Hmara in the 40 second of starting play for Zomi FC to take the lead and also the fastest goal of the tournament till so far.
Erictluang converted a pass from Daniel in the 7th minute for the second goal for the subsequent winners.
The first half ended with Zomi FC leading by 2-0.
The second half of the match saw a much stronger attack from the NACO players however, Zomi FC maintain their defence did not provide NACO with much chances.
Naoba Singh’s ouster in the 70th minute after a second yellow card weakened NACO further.
Jolthang added another taking the lead to 3-0 and his own goal tally of the match to 2.
H Rishikanta scored the only goal and face saver for NACO in the 86th minute of play.
Two ZFC players and one of NACO were yellow carded while a player of NACO was shown the red card during the match.