Longleng, Kohima, Dimapur and Zunheboto recorded victories on the eighth day of the 25th Dr T Ao Trophy Inter-District Football Championship 2026 on Thursday, with Longleng and Zunheboto securing quarter-final berths as the group stage concluded.
Longleng defeated Tseminyu 3–0 to finish second in Group B behind Kohima, while Kohima maintained their perfect record with a 3–0 win over Shamator. In Group A, Dimapur beat Noklak 2–0, while Zunheboto defeated Kiphire 3–1 to qualify for the quarter-finals in second place behind Mon.
Longleng 3–0 Tseminyu
Longleng booked their quarter-final berth with a convincing 3–0 win over Tseminyu in Group B, with both teams entering the match on three points and needing a win to advance.
After a closely contested opening half, Phongnyei broke the deadlock in the 35th minute to give Longleng a 1–0 lead at the interval. Yahoktenba doubled the advantage in the 58th minute, before Shahhong scored the third at stoppage time to seal the win.
The victory secured Longleng second place in Group B behind Kohima, sending them into the quarter-finals.
Shamator 0–3 Kohima
Already qualified before kick-off, Kohima completed their group-stage campaign with a 3–0 win over Shamator to finish Group B with nine points from three matches. Shamator, meanwhile, had already been eliminated.
Noulevituo opened the scoring in the 24th minute, and Kevizakie doubled Kohima’s lead just two minutes later. Zasevituo added the third in the 62nd minute to complete a comfortable win and maintain Kohima’s perfect record.
Kohima’s Atenjenba received a yellow card in the 40th minute, followed by Kezhaletuo in the 48th minute.
Kohima topped Group B and will face Zunheboto in the quarter-finals.
Noklak 0–2 Dimapur
Dimapur, already eliminated from the tournament, ended their group-stage campaign with a 2–0 win over Noklak in Group A.
After a goalless first half, Noklensunep broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute. Noklak, who still had a slim chance of qualifying with a victory, tried to respond, but Dimapur held firm defensively. Lungneuying scored the second at stoppage time to seal the win.
Despite the win, Dimapur could not advance. The result also ended Noklak’s qualification hopes, leaving both teams eliminated.
Zunheboto 3–1 Kiphire
Zunheboto secured second place in Group A and a quarter-final berth with a 3–1 with over Kiphire in the final group-stage match of the tournament.
Tohika gave Zunheboto the lead in the 18th minute, before Hikupu extended the advantage in the 43rd minute. Puyeto made it 3–0 in the 64th minute, putting Zunheboto firmly in control.
Kiphire pulled one back through Idalungbe in the 68th minute, but Zunheboto held on to secure the win.
The result confirmed Zunheboto’s qualification behind Group A leaders Mon.
Quarter-finals begin Friday
The tournament moves into the knockout stage on Friday, October 23, with two quarter-final matches scheduled. Both matches will determine the semi-finalists as the eight remaining teams continue their pursuit of the Dr. T. Ao Trophy. Tickets for the quarter-finals are priced at Rs 100 each.
Imnatoshi leads Golden Boot race; 119 goals scored in group stageAMP
Mokokchung’s Imnatoshi remains the tournament’s leading scorer with six goals. Five came in Mokokchung’s final group stage match against Meluri, the highest individual goal tally in a single match in the tournament so far. His other goal came against Tuensang, when he opened the scoring before Mokokchung eventually lost 2–1 following a comeback by Tuensang. The defeat contributed to Mokokchung’s early exit from the competition.
Kohima’s Kevizakie Ciesotsu is second on the scoring chart with five goals. Noulevituo Pienyu of Kohima, Yibenthung Ezung of Wokha, Atopu of Zunheboto, Longkhoi K of Noklak and S Ayen Mongba of Tuensang have scored four goals each.
Seventeen other players have scored two goals apiece, while 54 players have scored once each.
A total of 81 players have scored 119 goals across 28 group-stage matches.
Zunheboto’s Pulovi leads the assists chart with four. Tuensang’s Namang Yimjong remains the only player sent off in the tournament so far, having received a red card in the 16th minute of their match against Meluri. Despite playing with 10 men for most of the match, Tuensang went on to dominate and defeat Meluri 9–0.
All teams have conceded goals in the tournament. However, Zunheboto’s Atou and Mon’s Teihom Konyak have each kept two clean sheets in four matches.
Shamator and Meluri finished their campaigns without a point. Meluri conceded 25 goals in three matches, the highest among all teams. Their only goal came through Türhüchu Thupitor in their 8–1 defeat to Mokokchung.