C.K. SARMA FOOTBALL

Dibrugarh, June 20: Oil India Football Club, Duliajan, retained the title, defeating Assam State Electricity Board (ASEB) SC, Guwahati, 3-0 via tie-breakers in the final of the 12th C.K. Sarma Day/Night Football Tournament, organised by Dibrugarh District Sports Association, at Chowkidingee ground here yesterday.

The regulation time ended in a 1-1 draw. ASEB opened their account through Jamala Brahma in the 23rd minute. The rain-drenched ground was slippery and the players had to struggle for a foothold.

In the second half, Oil India came back strongly and equalised through Tridip Hazarika in the 47th minute. Tridip headed a flag kick from Nobin Rabha to find the back of the net. Both the teams toiled hard but could not find any breakthrough. Custodian Nihal Das of Oil India was brilliant and saved many goals.

Sishuram Chetia, Nobin Rabha and Geremsha Basumatary found the net in the penalty shootout for Oil India FC while Mendila Rongmai missed the goal. On the other hand, the ASEB players failed in all their attempts.

Biswanath Karmakar of ASEB was adjudged the Best Player of the final match, while Nihal Das of Oil India was awarded the Best Goalkeeper of the tournament.

The winning trophy was handed over to Oil India FC by DDSA president Jamshed Ahmed Khan.

"For the second time, we have become the champion and our players have played a good match today. It is team effort and right strategy that helped us win the meet. We want to give credit to our brilliant coach," Jitu Chetri, manager of Oil India FC, told The Telegraph .