Assam Rifles players receive the trophy from Assam forest minister Rockybul Hussain and Meghalaya deputy chief minister B. M. Lanong in Nagaon, Assam, on Monday. Picture by Eastern Projections

Nagaon, Sept. 20: Assam Rifles were crowned champions in the 62nd All-India Independence Day Cup football tournament, defeating Royal Wahingdoh Football Club, Shillong 2-1 in the final at Nurul Amin stadium here today.

The match was a goalless draw till the end of the first half.

Shillong mid-fielder Malsawn Tlunag scored the first goal in the 78th minute.

Assam Rifles striker Bulu Jindung equalised through a free kick in the 84th minute. Assam Rifles right winger L. Kima’s corner shot in the 104th minute (extra time) brought the winning goal for Assam Rifles.

Royal Wahingdoh reached the final, defeating SSB Siliguri 3-1 through a tiebreaker in the first semi-final on Friday.

Champions Assam Rifles defeated JCB Bhilai brothers 7-5 through a tiebreaker in the second semi-final on Saturday.

Altogether 13 teams, including Nagaon First Division League champion Star Sporting and runners-up Redial Club, participated in the tournament.

The two home teams were out in the first round.

Last year Md. Sporting Club bagged the cup defeating NISA 2-0. Both teams, along with two heavyweights, Oil India Ltd Duliajan and BSF Jalandhar, were absent this year. All the four teams initially registered for the tournament but later opted out because of other engagements.

“We expected a very good performance from JCB Bhilai but their weak defence and pitiable finishing by the strikers led to their departure from the tournament in the semi-final,” said veteran sportsperson Jadav Saikia.

More than 3,000 soccer lovers from different parts of Nagaon gathered at the Nurul Amin Stadium to watch the final. Forest minister Rockybul Hussain was the special guest in the closing. Malsawn Tlunag was named Best Player.