Dr T Ao Trophy Quarter Finals: Mon overpower Dimapur 3–1 and Niuland hold off Chümoukedima 1–0
Morung Express News
Kohima | August 11
Mon and Niuland booked their places in the semi-finals of the Dr. T. Ao Trophy 2025 with quarter-final victories at the IG Stadium, Kohima, on Monday.
In the first quarter-final, Mon defeated Dimapur 3–1 in a match that had goals, cards, and drama from start to finish. The breakthrough came in the 28th minute when Amun (Jr. No. 9) struck clinically from inside the box. Manton (Jr. No. 11) doubled the lead in the 73rd minute, but Dimapur responded in the 78th minute with a deft strike from Imkongnungsang (Jr. No. 8). Any hopes of a comeback were dashed just three minutes later when Manyem (Jr. No. 10) fired home in the 81st minute.
Four yellow cards were issued — Amun (42’) and Bumang (66’) for Mon, and Francis (14’) and Imkongnungsang (42’) for Dimapur. C L John, Minister of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, and Village Guards, Government of Nagaland, attended as the match patron.
The second quarter-final saw Niuland edge past Chümoukedima 1–0 in a tense, hard-fought contest decided by a single moment of misfortune. The game was evenly balanced in the first half, with both sides locked in a physical midfield battle. In the 45+3rd minute, under pressure from a Niuland attack, Merensang (Jr. No. 4) of Chümoukedima misjudged a clearance and sent the ball into his own net, handing Niuland the lead just before halftime.
The second half turned into an all-out siege as Chümoukedima pushed forward in search of an equaliser. Niuland’s backline, marshalled by Torito (Jr. No. 6) and Kakhevi (Jr. No. 7), stood firm while coach Kivilu urged his players on from the touchline. Tempers flared, with yellow cards shown to Katoho (75’) and Nungshimar (90+2’) of Chümoukedima, and to Torito (27’), coach Kivilu (31’) and Kakhevi (39’) of Niuland.
When the final whistle blew, Niuland’s players collapsed in relief, having survived relentless pressure to protect their lead. The result means Chümoukedima exit the tournament without conceding to an opposition player — the only goal against them coming from their own ranks.
Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change, CL John was the match patron for the first quarterfinal while Advisor for Food and Civil Supplies, K Tokugha Sukhalu was the match patron for the second quarterfinal.
August 12 matches:
Mokokchung vs Peren @1:00 pm
Kohima vs Wokha @4:00 pm
