“We are still adapting”: Shamator coach says team is young, uncoached, and new to professional football
Niuland stamped their authority on Match 6 of the ongoing Dr T Ao Trophy today with a ruthless 9-0 demolition of Shamator, delivering one of the most dominant performances witnessed so far.
The lopsided Group A encounter began with a historic moment as Apeto struck just 17 seconds into the game, setting a new tournament record for the fastest goal.
From that point on, Niuland never looked back. By halftime, they were cruising, having torn through Shamator’s defense with ease.
Kakhevi netted twice before the break and completed his hat-trick with a third goal in the 34th minute. Apeto, the standout performer, added three more to his early opener, scoring in the 11th, 20th, and 58th minutes, ending the game with a remarkable four-goal haul.
Tori also found the net in the 27th minute, while substitute Honoto made an immediate impact with a goal in the 39th, rounding off the onslaught.
Shamator’s Medozeho was shown a yellow card in the 14th minute for a reckless challenge, as frustration began to seep into the team’s performance.
Niuland’s tactical discipline, swift transitions, and clinical finishing left Shamator in disarray. The attacking duo of Apeto and Kakhevi was unplayable, tearing apart the defense with intelligent positioning and relentless pressure. Their coordination and movement consistently opened up space, which Niuland exploited ruthlessly.
In contrast, Shamator struggled to string together passes or contain the opposition’s momentum. Defensive lapses, combined with an inability to adapt tactically, led to their complete unraveling.
Following the heavy defeat, Shamator coach Changsang Ounbou acknowledged the challenges faced by his young squad and emphasized the team’s developmental stage.
“We are a new team, new district… and they lack the knowledge of basic football. They somehow played on their own. They are struggling to adapt to professional football as they have never played under a coach. It’s not their fault also because they didn’t get coaching,” Ounbou told Mokokchung Times.
“After all, it has been only about 3–4 years since they have become a district. They are struggling to adapt.”
Despite the setback, he said the team is proud to be part of a growing football culture in Nagaland.
“We are happy to contribute to professional football in districts like Shamator, Kiphire and Meluri.”
Asked whether the team followed the game plan, he admitted:
“They did not play according to our setting. It’s like their first time on turf, and on a huge ground so they seem to miss out on their own position as well.”
The team currently consists of an entirely new batch of young players, with the eldest being just 23 or 24 years old.
Looking ahead, the coach expressed optimism:
“We have to build this confident,” he said, adding that the team is looking forward to the rest of their matches and will take lessons from their losses.
Shamator will next play Zunheboto on August 6.