The Nagaland Super League (NSL) kicked off with an electrifying match between Barak Football Club (BFC) and Nagaland United Sports Club (NUSC), drawing over 2,000 spectators to the Chümoukedima Football Stadium, Police Complex.
The opening match ended with Barak FC securing a hard-fought 3-2 victory, with Toka A. Achumi of BFC named Man of the Match for his outstanding performance. The game began with BFC creating an early opportunity from a free kick after a foul, but they failed to convert. NUSC’s goalkeeper displayed remarkable skill with a crucial save, keeping the scoreline level at 0-0 early in the match.
The deadlock was finally broken by BFC’s Kenumdi Siaru, who scored the league’s first goal with a stunning long-range strike. NUSC responded with their first shot on target, initiated by jersey number 20. Nisede Peseyie of NUSC came close to equalizing with a header but missed the target.
Just before the first half ended, NUSC’s Peseyie managed to score the equalizer, bringing the score to 1-1 as the teams headed into the break. The second half began with BFC almost scoring in the opening minute, but their attempt was blocked. NUSC attempted to capitalize on a BFC mispass, but their effort was deflected. However, Toka A. Achumi of BFC restored their lead with a well-executed goal and later extended the lead to 3-1 with a header from a corner kick.
Despite NUSC’s G. Chishi scoring a stunning goal to narrow the score to 3-2, NUSC could not equalize, even as they dominated possession and created several scoring opportunities. The game grew tense when NUSC’s head coach, Khogen Singh, received a yellow card for protesting an offside decision. Despite six minutes of added time, BFC held on to secure the 3-2 victory.
Barak FC: When asked about the feeling of winning the first match, BFC Captain Kevisanyu Peseyie acknowledged the pressure of the opening game but expressed satisfaction with the victory, securing three points.
Assistant coach Ipeutuing emphasized the importance of the win in boosting the team’s morale, stating, “This was our first game on such a big platform, and starting with a win is encouraging. However, there’s still a lot to work on.”
Nagaland United SC: Asked about receiving a yellow card after protesting an offside ruling by the linesman, NUSC head coach Khogen Singh expressed disappointment over the decision, explaining that he merely sought clarification from the referee. Despite the loss, he praised his team’s effort and promised a stronger comeback in the next match.
Meanwhile, Captain Haotinmang Thonmsong described the defeat as “unfortunate” but highlighted the lessons learned, saying, “We’ll analyze our mistakes and prepare to come back stronger in the next game.”
-Nagaland Post