Dibrugarh, Dec. 17: It will be a welcome 10-day Christmas break for the gritty Assam Rifles players before they embark on their next “mission” — the Gosto Paul Memorial Trophy in Bengal. The team will take the field for the first match on January 2.

Assam Rifles clinched the second OIL Challenge Gold Cup football title beating defending champions and hosts Oil India Limited 2-1 in the final at Nehru Maidan in Duliajan on Saturday.

“I am very happy with the performance of my boys, particularly the show they put up despite the team missing two key players in Abel Sema and Akum Ao,” coach Santanu Basu told The Telegraph.

Playing in a 3-5-1 format, Assam Rifles took control of the midfield in the initial minutes. The Rifles men scored their first goal in the 30th minute through an accurate header from Bulu Jigdung.

The Rifles men suffered a blow in the 38th minute when referee Nasiruddin Ahmed gave marching orders to midfielder H. Changloi for a rough tackle, but maintained the lead till lemon break.

Assam Rifles skipper Johny Kharluki, who also bagged the player of the tournament award, scored the second goal for his team in the 65th minute capitalising on a well-timed pass from the right flank by Bulu Jigdung.

OIL, too, suffered a setback as key player Lalmounpuia was sent out in the 55th min-ute for unsporting behaviour.

Sensing defeat, OIL coach B.S. Rawat made a last ditch attempt, sending in Tridip Khound and Bhim Kanta Sonowal to replace H.L. Routa and Birjab Mushahary. OIL scored in the 85th minute through a free kick by Dhananjay Boro, who won the second best player award.

Watching the match as guest of honour was former Olympian Chuni Goswami.

The champions were awarded the trophy and Rs 1 lakh as prizemoney. The runners-up team was richer by Rs 50,000.