MOKOKCHUNG, OCT 14 (NPN): The second day of the 25th Dr. T. Ao Trophy, Inter-District Football Championship – Silver Jubilee Edition 2026, witnessed a flurry of goals, with Tuensang District Football Association (DFA) and Zunheboto DFA recording emphatic victories, while Mon DFA edged past Dimapur DFA in a closely contested encounter.
In the first match of the day, Tuensang thrashed Meluri DFA 9–0 in Match No. 2, delivering a dominant performance marked by clinical finishing and attacking prowess.
Bichumli opened the scoring in the second minute before Ayenmongba doubled the lead in the seventh minute. Relithong added another in the 31st minute, followed by Ayenmongba’s second in the 32nd minute, as Tuensang went into the break with a commanding advantage.
Ayenmongba completed his hat-trick in the 48th minute, while Bongcheli M. struck in the 51st minute. Relithong scored his second in the 60th minute before Besuchingmak and Yimtitopong added goals in the 64th and 70th minutes, respectively, to complete the 9–0 rout.
Tuensang dominated possession with 75 per cent of the ball and registered 17 shots, 15 of which were on target, while Meluri managed only three shots. However, the match also saw disciplinary action, with Tuensang’s Namang Yimjong receiving a red card in the 16th minute. Bongcheli M. and Jmti Kumzuk were shown yellow cards in the 34th and 53rd minutes, respectively.
In Match No. 3, Zunheboto DFA registered an equally impressive 7–0 victory over Noklak DFA, with Atopu leading the charge through a first-half hat-trick.
Atopu found the net in the 12th, 20th and 26th minutes to put Zunheboto firmly in control. Pulovi extended the lead in the 34th minute as Zunheboto carried their attacking momentum into the second half.
Mangholen scored in the 52nd minute, followed by Tohika in the 61st minute, before Ato completed the scoring in the 65th minute to seal a comprehensive victory.
Zunheboto enjoyed 65 per cent possession and recorded 13 shots, including 11 on target. Noklak, meanwhile, registered 15 shots, with eight on target, but failed to convert their opportunities. Zunheboto’s Mangholen and Kanavi received yellow cards in the 23rd and 26th minutes, respectively.
The day’s third encounter, Match No. 4, saw Mon DFA secure a hard-fought 1–0 win over Dimapur DFA, with Eshong Konyak scoring the decisive goal in the 56th minute.
Both teams were evenly matched in the first half, sharing possession and creating opportunities without finding the breakthrough. Mon eventually capitalised on their chance in the second half when Eshong Konyak found the back of the net to give his side the lead.
Despite Dimapur’s efforts to draw level, Mon defended their advantage until the final whistle to secure a valuable victory. Both sides recorded 50 per cent possession, while Mon registered 14 shots, including 11 on target. Dimapur recorded 13 shots, although the match statistics listed 16 shots on target for the side, a figure that appears inconsistent with its total shots.
Dimapur’s Temsemeren Imsong was shown a yellow card in the 37th minute. The tournament will continue on October 15 with four matches scheduled at the venue.