Mon and Zunheboto advanced to the semi-finals of the 25th Dr T Ao Trophy Inter-District Football Championship, Silver Jubilee Edition, after Mon beat Longleng 4–2 and Zunheboto edged Kohima 2–1 in extra time in Friday’s first two quarter-finals.
Mon turned a goalless first half into a four-goal lead by the 69th minute, but Longleng’s late response made for a tense finish. Despite what the scoreboard showed, the match was far tighter than the 4–2 result suggested, with Longleng posing a constant threat and Mon never really fully at ease.
Eshong Konyak put Mon ahead in the 49th minute, heading home after substitute Nyamnyei’s powerful shot was spilled by Longleng goalkeeper Along. Eshong struck again in the 63rd minute, curling a right-footed free kick over the wall and off the crossbar into the net after Longleng right-back Denjei brought him down on the edge of the box.
Eshong now has four goals in the tournament and remains in contention for the Golden Boot. Mokokchung’s Imnatoshi leads the scoring chart with six goals, followed by Kohima’s Kevizakie and Noulevituo with five each. However, all three leading scorers have been eliminated from the competition. Wokha’s Yibenthung and Zunheboto’s Atopu also have four goals each and remain in the tournament.
Tingshak Konyak made it 3–0 in the 67th minute, collecting David Konyak’s long pass, rounding the advancing goalkeeper and slotting home. Two minutes later, L Nyamnyei finished another move involving David to extend Mon’s lead to 4–0.
Longleng pulled one back in the 76th minute when substitute Henpang pounced on a loose ball after Mon goalkeeper Teihom failed to gather Phongnyei’s long delivery into the box. Mantong added a second in the stoppage time when his long ball from the left flank slipped through Teihom’s hands and rolled into the goal. Mon held on to win 4–2 and will face either Wokha or Peren in the semi-finals.
Zunheboto, meanwhile, came from behind to defeat Kohima 2–1, with Hikupu settling the contest in the first half of extra time.
Kohima took the lead in the 33rd minute after Kevizakie dispossessed Zunheboto right-back Ngukape near the right midfield and fed Noulevituo, who calmly rolled the ball between the legs of advancing goalkeeper Atou.
Zunheboto drew level in the 51st minute when Mangholen finished with his left foot after Kohima goalkeeper Roukuovolie fumbled Lazarus’s long ball from the left midfield and the defence failed to clear.
With neither side finding a winner in regulation time, the match went into extra time. Zunheboto captain Mughaho sent a free kick from the middle of the field into the Kohima box. After Roukuovolie blocked the ball twice in a crowded goalmouth, Hikupu pounced on the rebound and tapped it home with his right foot to seal the 2–1 win.
Zunheboto will meet either Phek or Tuensang in the semi-finals.
Wokha, Peren, Phek and Tuensang will contest the remaining two places in the last four.
Quarter-final 3, 24 October
Wokha vs Peren
Kick-off: 4:00 PM
Match Patron: Smti. Temsupongla, Sr. Treasury Officer, Mokokchung
Quarter-final 4, 24 October
Phek vs Tuensang
Kick-off: 7:00 PM
Match Patron: Shri. Imkumniba Kichu, Councillor, Mokokchung Municipal Council (MMC)