They Came, They Fought, They Conquered
In a finale that will be remembered for years, Mon created history by winning their first-ever Dr T Ao Trophy, defeating Niuland 5–4 in a tense penalty shootout after the match ended 1–1 in regulation time at the 24th edition of the Nagaland inter-district football championship 2025 at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima on Friday. The grand finale, played under floodlights, drew a crowd of over 28,000 spectators and more than 1.5 lakh online viewers worldwide.
Niuland drew first blood in the 14th minute when their captain Kakhevi Assumi, who eventually won the Player of the Tournament award, calmly converted a penalty in the 14th minute. Mon responded in the dying moments of the first half through their talisman K. Arap, whose thumping indirect free-kick in the 45th minute leveled the scores and sent the Mon fans into raptures.
The second half saw a relentless battle of skill, determination, and near misses. Both goalkeepers produced world-class saves while every tackle and counterattack kept the fans on edge. With extra time unable to break the deadlock, the match moved to a nail-biting penalty shootout. Mon converted five of their six spot-kicks while Niuland faltered under pressure, missing two crucial penalties. Mon’s final strike sealed the historic victory, sparking jubilant celebrations among fans, players, officials, and traveling supporters.
For Mon’s coach Tingyek “Ating” Konyak, the triumph was especially significant. Having finished as runner-up as a player in the 22nd edition in Mokokchung and retiring in the 23rd edition in Tuensang, he finally achieved his long-cherished dream of lifting the coveted Dr T Ao Trophy from the touchline.
Mon’s victory not only secures their place among the champions of Nagaland’s most prestigious inter-district football tournament but also marks a defining milestone in the district’s sporting history. The dramatic goals, thrilling shootout, and electric atmosphere made the 2025 final a night for the ages.
Individual Awards
Best Defender: Thejangulie Zatsu (Kohima)
Best Midfielder: Sentilong (Mokokchung)
Golden Glove (Best Goalkeeper): Teihom Konyak (Mon)
Golden Boot (Highest Goal Scorer): Ayenmongba (Tuensang)
Golden Ball (Player of the Tournament): Kakhevi Assumi (Niuland)
Next Dr T Ao Trophy to be hosted in Mokokchung
General Secretary of the Nagaland Football Association, Benei M. Lamthiu, confirmed to MT that the next edition of the Dr T Ao Trophy will be held in Mokokchung. He said the NFA Executive Body held a meeting earlier in the evening, during which the decision was made. Noting that other districts had also expressed interest in hosting the tournament, Lamthiu explained that the NFA took “certain things into consideration” before arriving at the decision.
