Mon edged past Niuland 2–1 in one of the most dramatic and fiercely contested fixtures of the Dr T Ao Trophy 2025, played on August 5 at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima. The match, brimming with raw intensity and emotion, delivered a spectacle that will be remembered as one of the tournament’s defining encounters.
From the very first whistle, both teams came out with ferocity, setting the tone for what would become a riveting battle. Mon eventually emerged on top to lead the standings in Group A, the only group with five teams in the tournament.
Mon found the breakthrough in the 38th minute when Tingshak fired home a thunderous 30-yard strike to put his team ahead, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
They continued their assault into the second half and reaped the reward when Laiwang Bohham pounced in the 54th minute with another long-range shot, sending the ball past the helpless Niuland goalkeeper. His goal, a product of sustained pressure, doubled Mon’s lead and looked to tilt the match decisively in their favour.
However, Niuland, who had defeated Shamator 9–0 in their last outing, refused to back down. Just two minutes later, Hivika, who had earlier received a yellow card in the third minute, made amends by finishing clinically to bring his team right back into the contest. With the score at 2–1, the match entered a chaotic phase. Niuland pressed high, launching wave after wave of attack, while Mon held their ground with impressive composure and discipline.
The closing stages were marked by frayed tempers, crunching tackles, and desperate defending, as Mon resisted Niuland’s onslaught. Despite the pressure, Mon stood tall to claim a memorable win. All three goals in the match were scored from outside the box.
The match drew over 15,000 live online viewers, joining those in the stadium to witness the epic encounter.
The final whistle confirmed a hard-fought 2–1 victory for Mon, who now move forward in the tournament with renewed confidence and belief.
Mon and Tuensang now have four points each, while Niuland has three after playing two games each. Shamator and Zunheboto, the other two teams in the group, are yet to open their account.
