Zunheboto kept their campaign alive at the Dr T Ao Trophy 2025 with a commanding 3-0 win over Shamator in Match 15 at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima, on August 6. The win brings them level on three points with Niuland after two games each, while Tuensang and Mon lead the five-team Group A with four points apiece. Shamator remain winless at the bottom with two defeats in as many games. With this result, the race for quarterfinal qualification in Group A remains wide open.
Zunheboto wasted no time asserting dominance from the opening whistle. They pressed high, forced turnovers, and launched a wave of early attacks that had Shamator struggling to stay afloat. The pressure paid off in the 30th minute when Pulovi Kiho capitalized on a defensive lapse and blasted home the opening goal to put his team ahead.
Barely three minutes into the second half, Zunheboto struck again. This time it was Vinato Achumi who slotted in a clinical low finish to make it 2-0.
Tokibe added a third in the 60th minute from the D-box that all but sealed the outcome. The goal came at the end of a well-worked move.
Shamator had brief moments of possession but failed to trouble the opposition keeper.
Zunheboto proved too much for a Shamator side still searching for its rhythm. With two group matches remaining, Zunheboto’s qualification hopes are very much alive.