Mon and Wokha qualify for the Dr. T. Ao Trophy knockouts as Dimapur and Kiphire play out a 7-7 draw in Mokokchung.
DIMAPUR — Mon and Wokha secured places in the knockout stage of the 25th Dr. T Ao Trophy – Inter-District Football Championship 2026, while Dimapur and Kiphire shared a 7-7 draw in a high-scoring encounter at Renpo Lu Sports Complex in Mokokchung on October 20.
Mon came from behind to defeat Noklak 2-1 and qualify for the knockout stage with 12 points. Noklak took an early lead through Longkhoi in the fifth minute and held the advantage until David equalised for Mon in the 62nd minute. Pangteih scored three minutes later to complete the comeback.
Wokha edged Tuensang 1-0 to top Group C and advance with seven points. The match remained goalless until Yibenthung scored in the fourth minute of stoppage time (70+4). Tuensang finished with six points despite dominating possession with 70% of the ball and registering 14 shots, 11 of which were on target.
In another match, Dimapur and Kiphire shared a 7-7 draw. Dimapur took the lead through Lungneuying in the 15th minute, but Iteibabe equalised for Kiphire from the penalty spot two minutes later. The sides continued to exchange goals, with Namduanbo scoring twice for Dimapur and Kiphire mounting a comeback in the second half. Idalungbe scored in the 70+2nd minute to seal the draw.
Dimapur registered 13 shots, 11 on target, while Kiphire managed 11 attempts, seven on target. Both teams had 50% possession.
Mokokchung recorded an 8-1 win over Meluri, with Imnatoshi scoring five goals. Moajang opened the scoring with a header in the fifth minute before Imnatoshi struck in the 35th, 37th, 42nd, 52nd and 53rd minutes. Takotoba added two more goals in the 62nd minute and at 70+3, while Türhüchu scored Meluri’s only goal in stoppage time. Despite the emphatic win, neither team qualified for the knockout stage from Group C.
From Group D, Phek and Peren advanced to the knockout stage with nine and four points respectively.