Mangaldoi, Oct. 15: Former champions Assam Rifles XI regained the title in the 28th Amba Medhi Football Championship defeating Green Valley Sports Club, Guwahati, 3-1 in the final played at Mangaldoi stadium here today.
Both teams played their cards carefully right from the beginning. Striker Abel Sema netted the first goal for Assam Rifles in the 33rd minute of the match. He got a pass from Thoiba Singh from the right flank and successfully pushed the ball into the net of the Green Valley side.
The second goal came in the 37th minute. Striker Akum Ao scored it through an individual effort from 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 the goalkeeper of Green Valley, Prosenjit Debnath.
Assam Rifles led 3-0 at half time.
Green Valley reduced the margin in the 13th minute of the second half through a free kick taken by Dhananjoy Brahma. He netted the ball from the right flank beating goalkeeper S. Lokeswar Singh.
Green Valley got good opportunities to score in both halves but Assam Rifles’ strong defence thwarted their attempts.
Assam Rifles men 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 best player of the final match.
Sushanta Biswa Sarma, 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.
The match was earlier scheduled for October 10 but was deferred till today because of inclement weather .
Green Valley Sports Club booked a final berth on October 8 by beating former champions Oil India Ltd, Duliajan, 3-1 via tiebreakers after a 1-1 draw.
Assam Rifles XI rode a hattrick by striker Akum Ao to march into the final defeating Southern Sporting Union, Imphal, 5-0 in the second semifinal on October 9.
