Dimapur District Football Association will clash against Mon District Football Association in the finals of the ongoing 22nd edition of the Inter-District Football Championship Dr. T. Ao Trophy 2022 at Imkongmeren Sports complex Mokokchung on Friday.
A friendly rivalry between former academy colleagues Tingnyek (Ating) Konyak and Kivi Zhimomi in the final match. Both players are wearing the captain armband for Mon and Dimapur. The duo have played together since their academy days at Dimapur. He and Zhimomi perhaps formed the best known midfield partnership in their prime time. The duo have played together in local tournaments, and even signed by the Shillong-based club Rangdajied United FC. However Kivi went on to play in I-league while Ating back to Nagaland. Kivi went on to sign with Northeast United but Ating was at the rock bottom due to his injury prone.
Ating, the captain of Mon is back to his form leading his team to the finals of the tournament against all odds.
Speaking to Ating Konyak, the captain of Mon, he said “I’ve been nervous about leading the team where the players have never played together as a team, but with how our performance have been throughout the tournament ,I trust my team. If we continue to maintain the consistency and put little more efforts, we can hopefully win the title”.
Speaking about Kivi, his former teammate, he describes him as an excellent player and added that it will be an honor to play against his team.
On team preparation for the final, he said the team have given their best in all the matches and hope to do the same even in the final.
While expressed his excitement from the supporting fans they are receiving,he hope that the team can bring them as much joy and pride through their final match by giving their best effort.
Kivi Zhimomi former Northeast United player and now Gokulam FC player in an interaction said he was very excited for the finals and believed his team can do it by giving everything to make it at history.
On Ating Konyak, he express his excitement meeting him in the finals and added that playing against him will be difficult for his team as ‘he is the best midfielder in Nagaland in his prime’ and wish him all the best for the final match.
On preparation for finals, he said, the team will go all out with no excuses and will fight till end of the whistle blow. As a captain he said he has to be an example so he will give his everything for the final match and believe his team will play one team, one heart and give the rest all glory to God.
Dimapur have scored eight goals in five matches, Kakhevi Assumi is the leading scorer of the team with three goals. They are yet to concede a goal in the tournament.
Dimapur beat the likes of Niuland and Peren in quarterfinals and semis to enter the finals of the tournament.
Mon have scored 12 goals with Laiwang Bohamm Konyak and Shamba Samson Konyak scoring three goals each.
While Mon defeated the likes defending champion Phek, Tseminyu in quarterfinals and semis of the tournament to reach the finals.
Meanwhile, in an exhibition match played Organizing Committee and NFA Technical Team on Thursday. NFA team defeated Organizing Committee by 3-2 during the match.
While, the closing ceremony of the coveted Dr. T Ao trophy (XXII Inter-District Football Tournament) will be graced by Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio on 29th April 2022 from 12 noon onwards at Imkongmeren Sports Complex. The tournament is being hosted by Mokokchung District Football Association.
Fixture for April 29
Final: Dimapur Vs Mon @12:00 pm noon
The Nokinketer 