Tuensang beat Meluri 9-0 and Zunheboto defeated Noklak 7-0 on Wednesday at the Dr. T. Ao Trophy in Mokokchung. Defending champions Mon opened their campaign with a 1-0 win over Dimapur.
The first four matches of the Silver Jubilee edition have produced 23 goals over two days at the Renpo Lu Sports Complex in Ungma. Hosts Mokokchung and Wokha drew 3-3 in the opener on Tuesday.
Tuensang and Zunheboto win big
Tuensang’s 9-0 win over Meluri in Group C is the biggest result of the tournament so far.
Bichumli scored in the second minute and Ayenmongba followed with a hat-trick, netting in the 7th, 32nd and 47th minutes. Relithong scored twice, in the 31st and 60th minutes. Bongongheli M, Besuchingmak and Yimtitopong got one each.
In Group A, Zunheboto beat Noklak 7-0. Atopu scored a hat-trick in the 12th, 20th and 26th minutes, and Pulovi added a fourth in the 34th. Mangholen, Tohika and Ato scored in the second half.
Mon begin defence with a clean sheet
Eshonga Konyak scored the only goal against Dimapur in the 56th minute, giving Mon three points in Group A.
Mon won the title for the first time last year, beating Niuland on penalties after the final ended 1-1. An estimated 28,000 fans watched the final at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima.
This year’s squad looks different. Mokokchung Times reported that Mon have lost several key players from the title-winning team and are relying on younger talent. Anjan Gohain has been named head coach, with Nihal Kachari as his assistant.
Mokokchung and Wokha share six goals
Tuesday’s opener was decided late. Mokokchung captain Sentilong gave the hosts the lead with a direct free kick in the 13th minute. Yibenthung Ezung levelled for Wokha in the 29th, and Lanutemsu put Mokokchung back in front in the 33rd.
Victor Kithan made it 2-2 in the 47th minute, and Yashimeren restored the hosts’ lead in the 60th. Ezung scored again in the third minute of added time at the end of the 70-minute match to earn Wokha a point.
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Format and schedule
The tournament is organised by the Nagaland Football Association (NFA) under the aegis of the All India Football Federation and hosted by the Mokokchung District Football Association. All 17 districts are taking part, split into four groups.
- Group A: Mon, Dimapur, Zunheboto, Noklak and Kiphire
- Group B: Kohima, Tseminyu, Shamator and Longleng
- Group C: Meluri, Tuensang, Wokha and Mokokchung
- Group D: Niuland, Chümoukedima, Phek and Peren
The group stage runs until October 22 and is followed by the quarter-finals on October 23 and 24 and the semi-finals on October 26 and 27. The final is scheduled for October 29 at 4 pm.
The champions will receive Rs 3 lakh and the runners-up Rs 2 lakh, the NFA’s fixture announcement said. The two losing semi-finalists get Rs 50,000 each. Organisers have also said the Nagaland squad for the 2026-27 Santosh Trophy will be picked from this tournament.
Honouring Dr. Talimeren Ao
The 2026 edition is the 25th. The Silver Jubilee began on Tuesday with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio virtually unveiling a monolith in honour of Dr. Talimeren Ao at the venue.
Dr. Ao captained India at the 1948 London Olympics and carried the national flag at the opening ceremony. He was also a qualified physician who played for Mohun Bagan, the AIFF has noted.
SportsCast India will broadcast the matches, while SportsMatrix will provide updates.
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