Mon and Niuland advance to Dr. T Ao Trophy semi-finals

KOHIMA — Mon and Niuland marched into the semi-finals of the ongoing Dr. T Ao Trophy after outclassing Dimapur and Chümoukedima, respectively, in the quarter-final clashes on Monday at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima.

In the day’s opening quarter-final, Mon put on a commanding display to seal a 3-1 victory over Dimapur. It all started when, just 28 minutes into the game, Amun found the back of the net to give Mon the lead.

The momentum carried into the second half, with Manton doubling the score in the 73rd minute. Dimapur briefly rekindled hope when Imkongnungsang struck in the 78th minute, but that flicker was quickly extinguished as Manyem restored Mon’s two-goal advantage in the 81st minute, securing their passage to the next stage.

Also read: Mon to face Dimapur in first quarter-final of Dr. T Ao Trophy 2025

The second quarter-final saw Niuland edge past Chümoukedima in a tense, low-scoring affair. The match’s only goal came in dramatic fashion deep into first-half stoppage time (45+4), when Chümoukedima’s Merensang accidentally turned the ball into his own net, handing Niuland the lead.

In a twist of irony, no opponent has yet breached Chümoukedima’s defence in the tournament—except for their own players. That single moment of misfortune proved decisive, as Niuland held firm in the second half to book their semi-final berth.

CL John, Minister of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, and Village Guards, and Tokugha Sukhalu, Advisor for Food and Civil Supplies and Legal Metrology, attended the first and second quarter-final matches as the match patrons, respectively.

August 12 quarter-final matches:

Mokokchung vs Peren at 1 pm.

Kohima vs Wokha at 4 pm.