Dr T Ao Trophy: Phek, Longleng and Kohima win as Niuland, Chümoukedima share points

MOKOKCHUNG, OCTOBER 15 (MExN): Phek, Longleng and Kohima recorded victories, while Niuland and Chümoukedima settled for a 2-2 draw on the second day of the 25th Dr. T. Ao Trophy, the Inter-District Football Championship Silver Jubilee Edition 2026, at Renpo Lu Sports Complex, Ungma, Mokokchung, on October 15.Phek and Longleng registered identical 4-1 victories over Peren and Shamator respectively, while Kohima overcame Tseminyu 4-2 in a six-goal encounter. The day's action also saw Niuland and Chümoukedima share the points after an evenly matched contest in terms of the final score, despite Niuland enjoying a greater share of possession and shots. In Match No. 5, Niuland District Football Association and Chümoukedima District Football Association played out a 2-2 draw after both sides exchanged leads.Niuland captain Kakhevi gave his side an early advantage in the sixth minute. Chümoukedima responded almost immediately, with Vikedo Ratsa converting a penalty in the seventh minute to bring the scores level at 1-1.Both teams continued to search for a breakthrough, with Chümoukedima eventually moving ahead through Visalie in the 49th minute. Niuland, however, fought back to restore parity when Thulunso converted a penalty in the 58th minute. Neither side managed to find a winner thereafter, and the match ended with the points shared.The match statistics indicated Niuland's greater attacking involvement. The team accounted for 60% of possession and registered 17 shots, including 10 on target, while Chümoukedima had 40% possession, eight shots and three on target. Niuland also earned six corners against Chümoukedima's three. Chümoukedima committed 12 fouls compared to Niuland's four, while Nyiewang Konyak of Chümoukedima received a yellow card.In Match No. 6, Phek staged a comeback to defeat Peren 4-1 after conceding an early goal.Peren drew first blood through Keyisiebe in the sixth minute, putting Phek on the back foot. Phek gradually recovered and found the equaliser through Vaporayi in the 27th minute. The contest turned in Phek's favour when Metshetsho scored in first-half stoppage time, listed as the 35+2nd minute, to give his side a 2-1 lead at the interval.Phek maintained the pressure after the restart, with Vebizo extending the advantage in the 68th minute. Thujosa added the fourth in the 73rd minute, completing a run of three unanswered goals after Peren's opener and securing the 4-1 win. Longleng produced another 4-1 result in Match No. 7, defeating Shamator with goals spread across both halves.B. Mantong opened the scoring for Longleng in the 20th minute, and Shepa B doubled the lead in the 32nd minute. Longleng went into the break with a two-goal cushion, leaving Shamator needing a strong response in the second half.Shamator reduced the deficit through Tsulunkhiung in the 48th minute, briefly bringing the contest back to life. Longleng responded seven minutes later, however, as Yahoktenba scored in the 55th minute to restore the two-goal advantage.I. Phongnyei converted a penalty in the 67th minute to complete the scoring and seal Longleng's 4-1 victory.Longleng's performance was reflected in the match figures, with the team enjoying 60% possession and registering seven shots on target against Shamator's four. Longleng also won four corners, while Shamator earned one. The match saw two fouls by Longleng and three by Shamator.In Match No. 8, Kohima defeated Tseminyu 4-2, with Kevizakie scoring three times to lead his side to victory.The opening half remained goalless until Noulevituo put Kohima ahead in first-half stoppage time, listed as the 35+4th minute. Kevizakie then struck in the 41st minute to give Kohima a 2-0 lead.Tseminyu pulled one back through Nyithong in the 57th minute, but Kevizakie restored Kohima's two-goal advantage in the 65th minute. Adan responded for Tseminyu a minute later, narrowing the score to 3-2 and keeping the outcome in doubt.Kevizakie settled the contest by completing his hat-trick in second-half stoppage time, listed as the 70+2nd minute, to secure the 4-2 win for Kohima.Kohima registered nine shots on target against Tseminyu's six and earned eight corners compared to four. The team had 60% possession, while Tseminyu accounted for the remaining 40%. Kohima committed 11 fouls against Tseminyu's six. Kevizolie and Petevizo of Kohima received yellow cards in the 48th and 56th minutes respectively.