Dr T Ao football
SHILLONG: The fifth Dr T Ao Memorial Football Tournament got underway in Aizawl on Wednesday, with Meghalaya and Mizoram winning their respective matches by the same margin, 2-1 in Group A.
In the second game of the day, Meghalaya defeated Nagaland, though the latter took the lead in the 28th minute thanks to Akum’s goal.
Meghalaya responded, however, through a Samson Nongrum strike five minutes later.
The match then proceeded with both teams level until Brolington Warlarpih broke the deadlock in the 90th minute, giving last year’s third-placed a good start to the tournament.
Earlier, hosts and 2013’s runners-up Mizoram scored through Fakzuala (13th) and Valpuia (46th), while Dewashis Rai (67th) reduced the margin for Tripura later on.
Meghalaya and Mizoram are thus early group leaders.
On Thursday, defending champions Manipur will begin their campaign against Assam in the three-team Group B.
The other side in the group is Sikkim, with Arunachal Pradesh pulling out before the competition began.