The OIL India team with the winner’s trophy and cheque at Nehru Stadium on Tuesday. Picture by UB Photos

Guwahati, March 20: Oil India FC (Duliajan) ended Assam Rifles’ (Tezpur) quest for a fourth consecutive title with a 1-0 win in the final of the 4th Airtel Assam State Premier League at Nehru Stadium here today.

For Duliajan, it was sweet revenge as the same team in last year’s edition had defeated them.

In a see-saw battle here today, the Assam Rifles team started strongly, earning a corner kick in the sixth minute. In the 21st minute, a defence lapse by Assam Rifles cost them dear as playmaker Manas Manjit Chetia flicked one to Jayanta Basumatary who made no mistake to beat the goalkeeper.

Down 0-1, Assam Rifles tried to regroup and despite having struck a greater number of shots at the goal, lack of direction and power deprived them of an equaliser.

In the 30th minute, the Tezpur men had the best chance of the match as a centre by Meikingai Kamei was connected by D. Mukhim, only to be brilliantly booted out by Oil defender Sishu Ram Chutia. Five minutes later, it was Oil’s turn to counter and a centre by Mintu Boro all but went inside the goal off Manas’ boots as the Assam Rifles defence line were up to their task.

In the second half, Assam Rifles were on the offensive but erratic in their finishing. In the 20th minute, the Tezpur team were a tad unlucky when a string of shots at the goal were saved by the Oil defenders. A minute later, Assam Rifles captain Bulu Jigdung was brought down inside the box only to be let down as referee Raju Bora did not award a penalty. Oil took control in the fag end of the match and saw that they maintained their lead till the final whistle.

Manas Manjit of Oil was the highest scorer of the tournament while Jayanta Basumatary was adjudged the Player of the Tournament.