DUGAR SHIELD

Tezpur, Sept. 28: Assam Rifles retained the Sohanlal Dugar Shield Football Tournament title, beating Oil India Football Club, Duliajan, 3-2 in the final of the Diamond Jubilee Year edition of the tournament, organised by Tezpur District Sports Association at Polo Ground here yesterday.

In a replay of last year's final between the two sides, Oil India striker Jayanta Basumatary drew first blood in the 18th minute with a calculated pass from Mintu Boro.

F. Wary consolidated the lead for Oil India FC just two minutes later when he made no mistake in tapping home a corner kick by Boro. However, the two goals were not enough to subdue the spirit of the paramilitary men who regrouped after the half-hour mark to stage a comeback.

Their efforts yielded to retaliation through H. Bimol Singh in the 44th minute. He got a flag kick from Mintu Chetry to deflect it into the net. Striker Akum Ao equalised in the 61st minute with a free kick from outside the box that curled into the net for a spectacular goal.

The seasoned striker Akum pumped in the match-winning goal through solo effort in the 66th minute. His first attempt at the net rebounded from the post back to his foot that he kicked in to leave the opponent custodian helpless. Akum was adjudged the Best Player of the Tournament, while the Best Goalkeeper award went to Borbheta Sports Club, Jorhat, custodian Chandan Neog. Sirandeep Moran was named the best scorer and Jayraj Bramha won the best referee of the tournament trophy.

Tezpur MP Ram Prasad Sharma and director in charge of Sports Authority of India, Guwahati, Subhash Basumatary, along with local MLA Rajen Borthakur, awarded the shield and a cheque of Rs 1 lakh to the champions, while the runners-up received a cheque of Rs 50,000 and a trophy.