Nagaland creates history by qualifying for the final round of the 79th Santosh Trophy; placed in Group A with Assam and West Bengal.
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KOHIMA — The Nagaland team has progressed to the final rounds of the 79th Senior Men’s National Football Championship (Santosh Trophy) after qualifying from the group rounds.
The team has been placed in Group A alongside hosts Assam, defending champions West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand and Rajasthan for the final round. Group B features Meghalaya, Kerala, Services, Punjab, Odisha and Railways.
The draw was conducted on December 31, 2025, at the All India Football Federation (AIFF) headquarters in New Delhi. Assam will host the final round from January 21 onwards, with 12 teams divided into two groups of six each.
It may be mentioned here that Assam received direct entry as hosts, while West Bengal and Kerala qualified automatically as winners and runners-up of the 2024–25 edition. The top four teams from Groups A and B will advance to the knockout stages. The quarterfinals are scheduled for February 2–3, the semifinals on February 5, and the final on February 8.
Team assistant coach-cum-goalkeeping coach, Vizovor Liezietsu, speaking to Eastern Mirror on Monday, acknowledged the Nagaland Football Association (NFA) on behalf of the management and coaches for giving them the opportunity to lead the state team.
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Highlighting that the state government had set up the Nagaland Super League (NSL) and other tournaments that help in promoting players, Liezietsu also acknowledged the NFA for providing financial support and facilities and for selecting the best players.
He also acknowledged the players for their cooperation, maintaining that senior players motivated the junior players during the crucial matches against Manipur and Mizoram, which helped the squad much.
He further emphasised and acknowledged the role of the supporting staff, comprising the team manager, head coach, assistant coach-cum-goalkeeping coach, and physio, who worked together in preparing the players. Besides, he also acknowledged the Naga students who were present in Tripura for coming out and supporting the team while it played its group rounds.
Liezietsu informed that the next camp for Nagaland will be held from January 9.
In the final round, Nagaland will play against West Bengal at Dhakuakhana Football Stadium on January 21 at 1:30 pm; against Assam on January 23 at 9 am; against Tamil Nadu at 9 am; against Uttarakhand on January 28 at 9 am; and against Rajasthan on January 30.