Mangaldoi, Oct. 15: Former champions Assam Rifles XI today regained the title in the 28th Amba Medhi football championship, defeating Green Valley Sports Club, Guwahati, 3-1 in a keenly contested final at Mangaldoi stadium.

Both teams played their cards carefully from the beginning. Striker Abel Sema netted the first goal for Assam Rifles in the 33rd minute. He got a pass from Thoiba Singh from the right flank and successfully pushed the ball into the net.

The second goal came in the 37th minute. Striker Akum Ao scored it through individual efforts from the midfield onwards. He struck again for the third goal in the 38th minute, taking a bicycle shot off a cross from Abel Sema from the right flank to beat Green Valley goalkeeper Prosenjit Debnath.

Assam Rifles led by three goals to nil at half-time.

Green Valley reduced the margin in the 13th minute of the second half through a freekick taken by Dhananjoy Brahma. He netted the ball from the right flank, beating goalkeeper S. Lokeswar Singh.

Green Valley got opportunities to score in both halves but Assam Rifles’ strong defence thwarted their attempts.

Assam Rifles’ Abel Sema and Johnney Kharloki were cautioned with yellow cards.

The winners received the Amba Medhi shield while the runners-up team carried home the Ratneswar Kataki Trophy. Akum Ao of Assam Rifles was adjudged the Player of the Final.

Sushanta Biswa Sarma, the president of the Mangaldoi Sports Association, presided over the prize distribution ceremony. Secretary of the Assam Football Association Ankur Dutta was also present on the occasion. Superintendent of police, Darrang, Imdadul Hussain Bora inaugurated the match.