Mon lift Dr T Ao Trophy after beating Niuland on penalties
Morung Express News
Kohima | August 15
In a finale befitting the grandest stage of Nagaland football, Mon etched their name into Dr. T. Ao Trophy history with a nerve-shredding 5–4 penalty shootout victory over Niuland after the two sides were inseparable at 1–1 in regulation time.
The breathtaking title clash, played under floodlights at the Indira Gandhi Stadium Kohima. The match drew a massive in-stadium crowd of over 28,000 roaring spectators and was watched live by more than 1.5 lakh viewers worldwide through online streaming. The grand finale kicked off at 5:00 pm and will be remembered as one of the most dramatic and tension-soaked finals in the tournament’s history.
Niuland stunned the Mon faithful early in the contest, striking in the 14th minute when striker Kakhevi Assumi, wearing Jersey No. 7, converted a perfectly-taken penalty kick. His composed finish silenced half the stadium and gave Niuland the upper hand in the opening stages.
But champions are not crowned without resilience, and Mon responded with determination. Pushing forward with relentless energy, they clawed their way back into the match. Their equaliser arrived in the dying moments of the first half, when Mon’s talismanic midfielder K. Arap (Jersey No. 15) unleashed a thumping indirect free-kick in the 45th minute. The strike sent the Mon supporters into raptures and ensured the two sides went into the break locked at 1–1.
The second half delivered a rollercoaster of football — with chances at both ends, near-misses, and both goalkeepers producing world-class saves to keep their teams in the contest. Every tackle drew gasps from the stands, and every counterattack set pulses racing. Both teams committed players forward, but the deadlock could not be broken in regulation time.
As the referee’s final whistle signalled the end of 90 minutes, the atmosphere shifted into one of sheer anticipation for the dreaded penalty shootout — a test of nerve under the highest pressure.
Six takers from each side stepped up to the spot. Mon converted five of their six penalties, missing once. Niuland matched them stride for stride until the tension proved too much — two missed penalties sealing their fate. When Mon’s final kick found the back of the net, the crowd erupted in unbridled joy. Players in red and black collapsed to the ground in tears, some embracing, others overcome with emotion.
For Mon, the victory not only secured the Dr. T. Ao Trophy 2025 but also cemented their status as the undisputed kings of Nagaland football this year. The combination of electric crowd energy, dramatic goals, and shootout heroics has already made the match a reference point for future generations — a true grand finale worthy of comparison to some of the greatest football spectacles on the global stage.
The champions won Rs 3 lakhs, individual medals and a trophy. The 25th edition of Dr T Ao Trophy is scheduled to take place in Mokokchung next year.
Awards & Honours
Best Defender: Thejangulie Zatsu (Kohima)
Best Midfielder: Sentilong (Mokokchung)
Golden Glove: Teihom Konyak (Mon)
Golden Boot: Ayenmongba (Tuensang)
Golden Ball: Kakhevi Assumi (Niuland)
