SUPER LEAGUE

Guwahati, Sept. 22: Defending champions Assam State Electricity Board (ASEB) Sports Club went out of title contention after being held to a 1-1 draw by FC Green Valley, while NF Railway suffered a humiliating 1-4 defeat at the hands of Navajyoti Club in today's championship round matches of the R.G. Baruah Trophy Guwahati Super League football tournament at Nehru Stadium here.

Sitting pretty at the top of the table with 19 points, Green Valley were relaxed in the first half while the powermen tallied their first goal in the 33rd minute with the nimble-footed Jwmbla Brahma, receiving a short pass from Jessy Vanlalmuana from the right flank, thumping it in.

For the powermen, today's was a must win as they were trailing behind in third position with 13 points.

In the second half, the Green Valley came up with vigorous attacks and they succeeded in the 80th minute.

Gaiham Rongmei brilliantly carried the ball from the midfield through the right flank and struck with a powerful grounder from the edge of the box. ASEB had to be content with 14 points, while Green Valley have 20 in their kitty. Navajyoti, who were in second position with 15 points, on the other hand, scored their first goal as early as in the first minute. Nigerian recruit Timothy Onyenka sent home a left flank pass from Charles Egware few seconds into the game.

In the 34th minute, Navajyoti were awarded a penalty kick and Laldhuwma converted the shot. Nigerian striker Charles fired in the next goal for Navajyoti from inside the box in the 41st minute and in the 49th minute, Laldhuwma scored the fourth goal.

For the railmen, striker Chayaram Basumatary found the net for the only salvo in the 70th minute.

After today's matches, Navajyoti stand at 18 points just behind the Green Valley while NF Railway are trailing behind with 12 points. The Navajyoti-Green Valley fixture on Thursday will be the decider of the champions as both the sides are in contention for the title.

Ranji team named: The Assam Cricket Association today named the Assam squad with Gokul Sharma as the skipper of the Ranji Trophy group A matches against Karnataka and Rajasthan to be held at Barsapara Cricket Stadium here from October 1 to 4 and October 8 to 11. Bangalore recruit wicketkeeper-batsman Arun Karthick has been named the vice-captain.

The other members of the squad are Abu Nechim Ahmed, Tajinder Singh, Amit Verma, Sibsankar Roy, Pallav Das, Swarupam Purkayastha, Krishna Das, Arup Das, Pritam Das, Rishav Das, Kunal Saikia (wk) and Bikash Chetri. Parimal Singha has been appointed manager of the squad while Subhadeep Ghosh will assist coach Sanath Kumar as fielding coach.