Nagaland crash out of Sentinels women football championship in semi-final

DIMAPUR — Nagaland bowed out of the Sentinels Cup North-East (Women) Championship on Monday after conceding a 4-0 defeat in the semi-final to tournament’s favourites — Director General Assam Rifles (DGAR) – at Sonitpur in Assam.

Naga Damsels represented Nagaland at the women’s football championship, which is participated by teams from North-eastern states of Assam, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Tripura, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, as well as Director General Assam Rifles Women Football Team. It is organised by the Assam Rifles.

The semi-final clash saw DGAR, which has many star players from the Indian national team, dominated the play against the inexperienced Nagaland team, as per the update received here on Monday.

Nagaland team manager of Nagaland team Viliebeizo Liezietsu, who is also an AFC C licence holder, lamented the lack of football tournaments for women in the state, leading to in a noticeable gap in experience and confidence among the players.

“The girls gave their all but lost to a better team,” Keren said, stressing the need for more exposure to competitive matches to build experience and confidence needed to compete at the higher levels.

He added that the semi-final outcome underscored the necessity for increased support and opportunities for women’s football in Nagaland.

The team was led by DYRS state football coach Kevilebei Zashumo.

Meanwhile, Arunachal Pradesh beat Assam 3-0 in the second Semi finals to set the title clash with DGAR in the final at ARTC, Shillong, on July 12.