KNOCKOUT FOOTBALL
Guwahati, July 11: NF Railway SC qualified to the finals of the N.N. Bhattacharyya Knockout Football Tournament by edging past Gauhati Town Club 6-5 via tie-breaker in a power-packed semi-final at Nehru Stadium here today.
Both the teams were locked 1-1 at the end of regulation time.
During the first half, new recruit Debasish Kundu and striker Sibra Narzary led two attacks in 34th and 40th minutes, but their shots missed the net by inches.
GTC registered their first goal in the 52nd minute. Amid confusion in the opponent's box, despite the presence of three defenders, Imling Chaba's tactful left-footer found the corner of the net after slipping from the custodian Subal Rabha's grasp twice. Pranjal Bhumij failed in his attempt but Chaba scored in his second attempt.
The railmen, however, replied within three minutes with a brilliant header by Chaya Ram Basumatary. This followed quite a few failed offensives from both the sides.
In the tie-breaker, GTC skipper Visal Kr Sunar missed the first attempt while Sankar Shil scored one. Thereafter, Pranjal Bhumij, Sabiti Mushari, Shib Sankar Patgiri and Imling Chaba scored for GTC while for Railway, Narzary, Rajib Boro, K.C. Lal and Debasish Kundu did not make any mistake.
Tomorrow, Sunrise AC will face Assam Police Blue in the second semi-final of the tournament.
Cricket: Assam Blue defeated Assam Green by virtue of their first-innings lead in the rain-truncated two-day match of the Assam Cricket Academy Under-19 Challenger Trophy organised by Assam Cricket Association at DN Singha Stadium in Goalpara yesterday.
Girls' football: Manipur defeated Odisha 3-0 to advance to the semi-finals of the Junior Girls' National Football Championship in Cuttack.
Thang ta: The Huyel Langlon Thang ta Association has announced that the first South Asian Thang ta School Games will be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from August 21 to 25.
Football: Apunba Fitness Centre, Nagamapal, will organise the Sixth AFC Transformation Challenge, 2016, with the preliminary round beginnning on August 7. The final round will be held at Manipur State Film Development Society auditorium, Palace Compound, Imphal East, on November 12.