Kohima–Wokha clash halted due to fog
KOHIMA, AUGUST 12 (MExN): Mokokchung held their nerve in a tense penalty shootout to overcome Peren 5–4 after a thrilling 2–2 draw in regulation and extra time, booking their place in the semi-finals of the Dr T Ao Trophy 24th Inter-District Football Championship 2025. The day’s other quarter-final between Kohima and Wokha was suspended due to thick fog with the score locked at 1–1, and will resume on Tuesday morning.
The Mokokchung–Peren encounter at IG Stadium was a dramatic, end-to-end contest lasting 105 minutes of regulation and extra time before the dreaded penalty lottery decided the outcome. The match began with Peren striking first in the 32nd minute through forward Nrakhak (Jr. No. 9), whose composed finish silenced the home crowd.
Mokokchung, however, levelled deep into first-half stoppage time when Tongpangnokdang (Jr. No. 9) fired home in the 45+4th minute. The equaliser proved a psychological boost, but Peren restored their lead soon after the break, with Nrakhak completing his brace in the 50th minute to spark celebrations among their travelling supporters.
The see-saw battle continued as Mokokchung piled on relentless pressure. Their persistence paid off in the 64th minute when Takotuba (Jr. No. 20) found the back of the net to make it 2–2. The closing stages were tense, with crunching tackles and a flurry of yellow cards — Ayimnukshi (12), Tongpangnokdang (9), coach Rongsennungba, and manager Yimya for Mokokchung, and Chidiheu (18) for Peren all going into the referee’s book.
With no change in score during extra time, the match went to penalties. Mokokchung converted all five spot-kicks with clinical precision, while Peren faltered once, handing the victory to the home side. The win sets up a semi-final clash between Mokokchung and Mon on August 13. The quarter-final’s match patron was Temjen Imna Along, Minister of Higher Education and Tourism.
In the second quarter-final, Wokha made an early breakthrough when Mhabemo Kikon (Jr. No. 3) capitalised on a defensive lapse to score in the 20th minute. Kohima pressed for an equaliser, but Wokha’s backline held firm until midway through the second half, when Kevizakie (Jr. No. 19) slotted home in the 72nd minute after sustained attacking pressure.
The contest grew increasingly competitive in the final stages, but with 16 minutes left on the clock, a sudden onset of dense fog reduced visibility to unsafe levels for players and match officials. The game, patroned by Mhathung Yanthan, Advisor for Agriculture, was suspended and will resume at 8:30 am on Tuesday, ahead of the first semi-final between Mon and Mokokchung.
August 13 Fixtures
Quarter-final (P): Kohima vs Wokha @ 8:30 am
Semi-final: Mon vs Mokokchung
