History was made in Kohima! Mon wins Dr T Ao Trophy for the very first time, clinching the title after a nail-biting penalty shootout against Niuland. The dramatic 5-4 shootout win at the Indira Gandhi Stadium marks a golden chapter for Mon football.
The final, played under dazzling floodlights in front of over 28,000 passionate fans, started with high intensity. Niuland struck first when their captain and eventual Player of the Tournament, Kakhevi Assumi, converted a penalty in the 14th minute. However, Mon fought back brilliantly. Just before halftime, K. Arap fired a thunderous indirect free-kick into the net in the 45th minute, levelling the score and sending the Mon supporters into a frenzy.
A Final for the Ages: Deadlock and Drama
The second half was a showcase of pure grit. Both teams created chances, but world-class saves from both goalkeepers kept the score locked at 1-1. Every tackle and counter-attack from both sides kept the massive crowd, and over 1.5 lakh online viewers, on the edge of their seats.
Even extra time couldn’t separate the two determined finalists, pushing the championship decider to the ultimate test of nerve: a penalty shootout.
Mon’s Shootout Heroics Seal the Championship
This is where legends are born. As the tension mounted, the players from Mon held their nerve. They successfully converted five of their six spot-kicks, while Niuland faltered, missing two crucial shots. The moment Mon’s final penalty hit the back of the net, the stadium erupted in celebration. This victory was especially sweet for Mon’s coach, Tingyek “Ating” Konyak, who had previously lost a final as a player but has now guided his team to glory from the sidelines.
While the night belonged to Mon, individual brilliance was recognised across the board. Niuland’s Kakhevi Assumi took home the Golden Ball, while Mon’s Teihom Konyak was awarded the Golden Glove. Looking ahead, the Nagaland Football Association has confirmed that the next edition of the Dr T Ao Trophy will be hosted in Mokokchung.